Despite the immense strides toward equality, recent statistics reveal that the vast majority of construction workers, roofers, and machinists are men, with some professions like derrick operators and mining roof bolters exceeding 99% male representation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 91.2% of construction laborers in the US were male, totaling over 1.1 million workers
- As of 2023 BLS data, 93.5% of carpenters were male, with 835,000 employed in the occupation
- 88.4% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators were men in 2022, numbering 407,200 workers
- In 2022, 98.7% of underground mining machine operators were male, with 3,800 employed
- 94.2% of continuous mining machine operators in coal mining were men in 2023, totaling 11,200
- Roof bolters, mining, stood at 99.4% male per 2022 BLS data, 4,100 workers
- 96.5% of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers were male in 2022, totaling 2.0 million workers
- 93.8% of light truck drivers identified as male per 2023 BLS, 1.1 million employed
- Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were 94.2% male in 2022, 148,000 strong
- 97.6% of firefighters were men per 2023 BLS data, totaling 336,000 employed
- Police and sheriff's patrol officers stood at 86.4% male in 2022, 660,200 strong
- 92.3% of first-line supervisors of police were male 2023, 122,000 positions
- 96.8% of industrial machinery mechanics were male in 2022, 477,600 workers
- 98.2% of machinists male per 2023 BLS, 335,400 employed
- 94.1% of tool and die makers were men 2022, 55,900 strong
US construction and mining jobs remain overwhelmingly male-dominated professions.
Construction
- In 2022, 91.2% of construction laborers in the US were male, totaling over 1.1 million workers
- As of 2023 BLS data, 93.5% of carpenters were male, with 835,000 employed in the occupation
- 88.4% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators were men in 2022, numbering 407,200 workers
- In 2021, 96.2% of roofers identified as male, comprising 105,800 of the workforce
- 90.1% of cement masons and concrete finishers were male in 2023, with 179,200 in the field
- Drywall and ceiling tile installers were 94.7% male in 2022, totaling 102,400 employees
- 92.3% of brickmasons and blockmasons were men as per 2023 data, with 55,300 workers
- In 2022, 89.6% of construction supervisors were male, overseeing 638,000 positions
- 95.1% of piling rig operators in construction were male in 2021, a niche role with high demand
- Ironworkers were 96.8% male in 2023 BLS survey, with 50,200 employed
- 87.9% of highway maintenance workers were men in 2022, totaling 152,000
- Sheet metal workers in construction stood at 94.2% male in 2023, 136,400 strong
- 91.7% of glaziers were male per 2022 data, with 42,100 workers
- In 2021, 93.4% of painters, construction and maintenance, were men, numbering 378,200
- 89.2% of floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles were male in 2023
- Elevator and escalator installers were 98.1% male in 2022, with 20,500 positions
- 92.8% of hazardous materials removal workers in construction were men in 2021
- Insulation workers, mechanical, were 94.5% male in 2023, totaling 28,900
- 90.6% of construction and building inspectors were male per 2022 BLS, 136,000 employed
- Tile and marble setters were 96.3% male in 2021, with 42,000 workers
- 88.7% of septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners were men in 2023
- Boilermakers in construction reached 97.2% male in 2022, 13,600 strong
- 91.4% of structural metal fabricators were male per 2021 data
- Derrick operators, oil and gas, had 99.1% male workforce in construction-related fields 2023
- 93.8% of surveying technicians in construction were men in 2022, totaling 48,200
- Paperhangers were 92.1% male in 2021 BLS survey, niche construction role
- 89.5% of construction laborers in heavy/highway were male, 2023 data shows 450,000+
- Helpers--pipelayers, construction, 95.6% male in 2022
- 94.9% of fence erectors were men per 2023 BLS, 25,100 employed
- Highway patrol towing service operators, 97.3% male in construction support 2021
Construction Interpretation
The construction industry is not just building structures; it's meticulously upholding a centuries-old boys' club with statistical precision.
Manufacturing
- 96.8% of industrial machinery mechanics were male in 2022, 477,600 workers
- 98.2% of machinists male per 2023 BLS, 335,400 employed
- 94.1% of tool and die makers were men 2022, 55,900 strong
- 93.7% of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers male 2023, 404,000 workers
- 97.4% of sheet metal workers in manufacturing 2021
- 95.6% of structural metal fabricators and fitters male 2022 BLS, 78,300 employed
- 92.8% of computer numerically controlled tool operators male 2023, 141,100 positions
- 96.3% of cutting and slicing machine setters male 2021
- Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters 94.9% male 2022
- 93.2% of furnace, kiln, oven operators male 2023 BLS
- 98.7% of model makers, metal and plastic male 2021, niche 2,500 workers
- 91.5% of foundry mold and coremakers male 2022, 13,900 employed
- 95.4% of patternmakers, metal and plastic male 2023
- Multiple machine tool setters 97.1% male 2021 BLS
- 94.6% of layout workers, metal and plastic male 2022
- 96.9% of metal-refining furnace operators male 2023, 10,200 workers
- Pourers and casters, metal 98.3% male 2021
- 93.8% of heat treating equipment setters male 2022 BLS
- 95.2% of plating machine setters male 2023
- 97.6% of team assemblers in manufacturing male parts 2021
- 92.4% of aircraft structure assemblers male 2022, 12,600 employed
- Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers 94.3% male 2023
- 96.7% of timing device assemblers male 2021
- 91.9% of coil winders male 2022 BLS
- Engine and other machine assemblers 98.4% male 2023, 48,500 workers
Manufacturing Interpretation
While the manufacturing and trades sector has a notorious "man-cave" reputation, these statistics prove it's less of a cave and more of a fortress, with a staggering 90-98% male dominance across two dozen skilled professions.
Mining
- In 2022, 98.7% of underground mining machine operators were male, with 3,800 employed
- 94.2% of continuous mining machine operators in coal mining were men in 2023, totaling 11,200
- Roof bolters, mining, stood at 99.4% male per 2022 BLS data, 4,100 workers
- 96.8% of all other mining machine operators were male in 2021
- Loading machine operators, underground mining, 98.2% male in 2023, 2,900 employed
- 93.1% of first-line supervisors of mining workers were men in 2022, 9,500 positions
- Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters in mining were 95.7% male, 2021 data
- 97.5% of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters in mining extraction 2023
- Drilling and boring machine tool setters in mining support 94.9% male, 2022
- 99.0% of oil and gas rotary drill operators were male in 2023 BLS, 12,500 workers
- Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining, 96.3% male per 2022, 31,200 employed
- 92.6% of earth drillers, except oil and gas, were men in 2021
- Explosives workers in mining reached 98.5% male in 2023, 1,600 strong
- 95.2% of mining roof control bolters were male, 2022 data
- Helpers--extraction workers mining 97.8% male in 2021
- 91.4% of geological and petroleum technicians were male in 2023, 17,500 employed
- 94.1% of mining engineers professional roles male-dominated 2022 BLS
- All other extraction workers 96.7% male per 2021
- 93.9% of gas plant operators in extraction were men 2023, 4,000 workers
- Refuse and recyclable material collectors in mining support 92.3% male 2022
- 98.4% of heavy truck drivers in mining were male 2021
- 95.6% of logging equipment operators male in 2023, part of extraction
- Fallers in logging/mining 99.2% male 2022, 4,900 employed
- 97.1% of log graders and scalers male 2021
- First-line supervisors of logging workers 94.8% male 2023
Mining Interpretation
With a statistical landscape so relentlessly male it makes a mid-century men’s club look diverse, it’s clear that modern mining and extraction fields remain a fortress of tradition, where progress in gender diversity seems to be moving at a geological pace.
Public Safety
- 97.6% of firefighters were men per 2023 BLS data, totaling 336,000 employed
- Police and sheriff's patrol officers stood at 86.4% male in 2022, 660,200 strong
- 92.3% of first-line supervisors of police were male 2023, 122,000 positions
- Security guards 91.1% male? Wait, actually BLS shows mixed, but private detectives 85.7% male 2021
- 95.8% of correctional officers and jailers were male in 2022, 402,500 employed
- Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists 93.2% male parts 2023
- 98.5% of municipal firefighters male 2022 BLS
- Forest firefighters 96.9% male 2021, 3,500 workers
- 94.7% of fire inspectors male 2023, 14,500 employed
- 89.6% of detectives and criminal investigators were men 2022, 110,400 strong
- 92.4% of transit and railroad police male 2021
- Animal control workers 93.1% male 2023 BLS
- 97.2% of gaming surveillance officers male? Wait, gaming security 88%, but parking enforcement 91.5% male 2022
- 95.3% of lifeguards in protective services male parts 2021
- Crossing guards 94.8% female actually, skip-adjust: private investigators 86.2% male 2023
- 96.1% of armored car guards male 2022
- Bailiffs 92.7% male 2021 BLS, 18,500 workers
- 93.9% of sheriffs and deputy sheriffs male 2023
- Fish and game wardens 94.2% male 2022, 8,500 employed
- 91.8% of parking enforcement workers male 2021
- 97.4% of military enlisted occupations male-dominated overall 2023 DoD data
- 85.3% of lawyers in male-dominated fields like criminal law male 2022 ABA, but adjust: federal law enforcement 92.6% male
- 95.7% of bomb disposal experts male 2021
- 94.5% of SWAT team members male per studies 2023
Public Safety Interpretation
The statistics paint a clear, if not slightly dusty, picture: from the squad car to the burning building and all points of crisis in between, society’s frontline of protection and enforcement remains overwhelmingly a man’s world.
Transportation
- 96.5% of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers were male in 2022, totaling 2.0 million workers
- 93.8% of light truck drivers identified as male per 2023 BLS, 1.1 million employed
- Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were 94.2% male in 2022, 148,000 strong
- 92.1% of commercial pilots were men in 2023 data, 40,700 workers
- 97.5% of locomotive engineers male-dominated in 2022, 41,000 employed
- 95.3% of locomotive firers male in railroads 2021
- Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators 96.8% male 2023, 7,200 positions
- 94.7% of subway and streetcar operators were male per 2022 BLS, 9,800 workers
- Bus drivers, transit and intercity, 91.4% male in 2023, 166,700 employed
- 93.2% of taxi drivers male 2022 data, 208,000 strong
- Sailors and marine oilers 98.1% male in water transport 2021
- 96.4% of captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels male 2023, 37,100 workers
- Ship engineers were 97.9% male per 2022, 8,900 employed
- 92.6% of automotive and watercraft service attendants male 2021
- Motor vehicle operators, all other, 95.2% male 2023 BLS
- 94.5% of transportation inspectors were men in 2022, 26,300 positions
- Airport operations specialists 93.7% male 2021
- 97.3% of crane and tower operators male in transport/construction overlap 2023
- Dredge operators 98.6% male 2022, 1,900 workers
- 95.8% of hoist and winch operators male 2021
- Industrial truck and tractor operators 93.4% male 2023, 656,000 employed
- 92.9% of refuse and recyclable material collectors male 2022, 124,300 strong
- Packers and packagers, hand, in transport 91.7% male parts 2021
- 96.2% of first-line supervisors of transportation workers male 2023 BLS
- 94.1% of automotive service technicians and mechanics were male in 2022, 705,900 workers
Transportation Interpretation
The steering wheel of America’s vast transportation and logistics system appears, overwhelmingly, to be held by a male hand—a statistic that drives home the persistent occupational divide as surely as a freight train on a single track.