The September jobs report was rough all around — but it hit men especially hard.
The Gap Nobody's Talking About
For eight straight months, women have outnumbered men in the U.S. workforce. That's the longest streak since 2010, according to Indeed's analysis of government data.
But here's the twist: this isn't a story about men losing jobs. It's a story about women gaining them.
"Back then, the gap emerged because men were losing jobs," explains Cory Stahle, senior economist at Indeed. "This time, it's because women are gaining them."
The numbers back it up. Compared to September of last year, about *1.2 million fewer men* are employed. Women's employment, meanwhile, grew by *more than 650,000* over the same period.
It's About Where the Jobs Are
The simple explanation? Growth is happening in industries where women dominate.
Healthcare — the engine of U.S. job growth for years — accounted for more than half of September's payroll gains. Roughly *80% of healthcare workers are women*. When that sector hires, women win.
Why September Was Bumpy for Everyone
The overall picture was soft: payrolls grew by just 29,000 jobs, far below the 84,000 economists expected. And even the sectors lifting women slowed down — healthcare hiring cooled compared to its monthly average, while job losses in women-heavy sectors like government ate into gains.
Men did capture slightly over half of September's net job growth, but that followed a month where they made up just *2% of payroll gains*. One decent month doesn't reverse a year-long trend.
The Takeaway for Job Seekers
If you're hunting for work right now, the lesson is simple: follow the growth. Healthcare, education, and care-focused sectors are doing the heavy lifting in this economy. Industries tied to government and manufacturing? Not so much.
The labor market isn't shrinking — it's shifting. And right now, it's shifting toward fields where women already hold the advantage.
Want more labor market insights? Subscribe to the JobAdvisor newsletter.