As the coronavirus pandemic continues to make it more difficult to balance work and family life, a new study is pointing to stark differences among U.S. states in terms of making life easier for working moms.
The WalletHub study ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia on 17 metrics covering areas such as child care, gender pay gaps, professional opportunities for women, female unemployment rates and the costs of day care and other services important to women.
The study found that women had it tougher than men when it comes to employment before the coronavirus, with an average hourly wage that is only 85% of the hourly wage for men, and that the global pandemic is only making life tougher for them.
"Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, and nearly 70% of moms with children under age 18 were working in 2019," the report noted. "Unfortunately, those numbers are decreasing in 2020, as data shows that during the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment is rising faster for women than it is for men."
The results found a wide divergence in the way states treat working moms. The study also revealed, however, that some states offered a favorable environment in some areas, but were lacking in others. California, for example, has the nation's lowest gender pay gap, but also ranks 49th in the nation in child-care services.
The following 10 states, in ascending order, were ranked in the study as the best for working moms:
10. Wisconsin
The state ranked 11th in the nation in work-life balance, 14th in child-care services and 17th in professional opportunities.
9. New Hampshire
New Hampshire stands out in terms of professional opportunities available to women, ranking third among all states in that category. It also ranks sixth in child-care services.
8. Maine
Maine has the second-lowest gender pay gap in the nation, as measured by women's average earnings as a percentage of men's. The state also has the third-highest female-to-male executive ratio.
7. Rhode Island
The state ranks second in work-life balance. It also has the fifth-highest female-to-male executive ratio.
6. New Jersey
The states ranks eighth in the nation in child care and work-life balance.
5. District of Columbia
The nation's capital offers the fifth-best work-life balance. It also boasts the third-lowest gender pay gap in the U.S.
4. Connecticut
The state ranked in with the nation's third-best child-care services. It is also sixth in work-life balance.
3. Vermont
Vermont ranked fourth in child-care services and fifth in professional opportunities. It also has the fourth-highest female-to-male executive ratio.
2. Minnesota
The state ranks first in the nation in child care and professional opportunities.
1. Massachussets
The state is first in work-life balance and second in child care services.
The full report can be viewed here.