Women in Contracting

Professional contracting continues to grow in popularity, this year’s results show the biggest jump in the percentage of women contracting over the past 4 years up 3% to 27%, however there is still evidence of a large gender imbalance that persists within the sector. This year’s survey shows that over a quarter of professional contractors in Ireland are female, and this percentage has increased since 2021.

The survey also revealed that while some industries such as medical locums have a higher than average proportion of female contractors at 45%, women are still under-represented in sectors such as medical devices at 14%, and engineering and technical activities at 18%. There has been good growth (7%) in the number of female contractors now engaged in the engineering sector since 2023. There has been significant growth in the percentage of women contracting in the ICT space in 2024, 24% up from 18% in 2023, in pharma 29% in 2024 as against 20% in 2023, and in the financial sector 24% in 2024 up from 19% in 2023.

Contracting is recognised for its flexibility in both working locations and schedules, has higher pay rates than regular employment, and gives the contractor increased ability to have more influence over the jobs they do, it seems the appeal of contracting to professional women finally seems to be gaining some traction. The average age of the female contractor was 46, as opposed to the average age of the male contractor which was 49. 31% of female contractors are between the ages of 50 -59.

The 2024 results show that the women who are engaged in the contracting sector enjoy the work they do with 84% confirming that they are satisfied with the work itself. Female contractors reported satisfaction levels higher than their male counterparts around 7 key elements of their working life. Female contractors are more satisfied than males with their work, the rate of pay, the location of their job, the flexibility, the remote working options, the work life balance and their life in general, 62% of female participants intend to continue working as contractors in the future.