Around 158,000 jobs in August were held by women, leaving just 4,000 positions to men

Women filled nearly 98% of the 162,000 jobs added in August, according to CNBC’s analysis of Labor Department data.

Women accounted for about 158,000 of the new jobs last month, while men gained roughly 4,000 positions.

Healthcare was the main driver, with women making up roughly four out of five workers in the sector. Government and education also contributed, adding 42,000 jobs.

Experts note that the surge has pushed the gender gap between men and women to unprecedented levels.

Women’s unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points from a year earlier to 3.9%, while men’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, matching its August 2025 level.

However, experts caution that women are often underpaid, and the trend may reflect a corporate shift toward hiring for lower-wage roles.

Economists note that month-to-month labor market data can be a volatile reflection of the gender gap. They advise looking at long-term trends for a clearer picture.