Best States for Working Moms in 2025

Working mothers face more challenges and work harder than the average employee. In fact, past studies have found that working mothers work the equivalent of 2.5 jobs. From childcare support and family leave policies to median household income and average rent, numerous factors impact a working mother’s situation.

In the United States, 74% of all mothers with children 18 years and younger participate in the labor force. Unfortunately, women still make less than men on average. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, women earn an average of 81.9% of what men earn when working full-time, year-round.

To determine where working mothers are thriving most, B2B Reviews compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics, including childcare factors, job market conditions, work-life balance, and cost of living, to identify the best states for working moms in 2025.

Take a look at our methodology to learn more about how we determined our final rankings.

Top Ten States for Working Moms in 2025

See which factors earned these states a place in the top ten.

1. Maryland

Maryland is the best state for working mothers. It has the highest median household income ($90,203) in the nation, which is nearly $30K above the national average ($69,243). Additionally, it offers all three childcare tax support initiatives: State CDCTC, State CTC, and State EITC (explained in methodology). Maryland’s cost of childcare is 8.40% of a married couple’s income, which is lower than the national average of 9.84%.

The gender pay gap is smaller in Maryland, with women earning 86% of what men earn, which is 4.10% higher than the national average of 81.9%. Finally, the state has a large presence of female remote workers, at 35.78%, which is greater than the national average of 24.88%. Maryland’s childcare costs and tax support, combined with its high median household income and small pay gap, make it an ideal location for working mothers, especially those who prefer to work remotely.

2. New York

New York ranks second among the best states for working mothers. It stands out for its low gender pay gap. In New York, women working full-time, year-round earn 87.40% of what men earn, which is 5.50% higher than the national average. The Empire State also earned the most number of points for its family leave policies, making it one of only seven states (and the District of Columbia) to do so.

New York’s minimum wage is $16.50, the third highest in the nation. It saw an employment growth rate of 1.6 (the fifth highest in the nation) and has the third shortest workweek, averaging 32.7 hours per week.

3. Oregon

Oregon comes in third due to its minimum wage ($15.95) and median household income ($71,562), both of which exceed the national averages ($11.21 and $69,243, respectively). Oregon also scores the maximum number of points for childcare tax support and family leave policies.

The average weekly earnings in Oregon are $1,240.51, which is higher than the national average of $1,175.29. Additionally, women earn 84.90% of what men make when working full-time, year-round, placing Oregon in the top 15 for states with the lowest gender pay gap.

4. Minnesota

Minnesota takes fourth place on our list. The North Star State has one of the smallest gender pay gaps, with women making 85.10% of what men make, which is 3.20% more than the national average (81.9%). The state also has a higher-than-average employment growth rate of 1.3, which is the eleventh highest in the nation.

Additionally, Minnesota mothers enjoy a shorter workweek (averaging 33 hours), higher-than-average weekly earnings at $1,287.33, and a median household income of $77,720, which is higher than the national average. With higher earnings, shorter working hours, and a healthy employment growth rate, Minnesota is a great place for working moms.

5. New Jersey

New Jersey is the fifth-best state for working moms. Not only does it score top points for childcare tax support and family leave policies, but the median household income is the fourth highest in the nation, at $89,296. New Jersey also has the tenth-highest average weekly earnings, at $1,277.39 per week.

Another reason the Garden State earns fifth place on our list is its high percentage of female remote workers (32.61%), which is a significant increase from the national average of 24.88%. Women in New Jersey also earn 82.70% of what men earn, which is higher than the national average of 81.9%.

6. Delaware

Coming in sixth is Delaware. This state stands out for its low gender pay gap, as women’s average earnings are 87.00% of men’s average earnings, making it the sixth state with the lowest gender pay gap. Delaware also has a higher-than-average minimum wage ($15.00) and employment growth rate (1.4).

Additionally, Delaware has the shortest average work week in the nation, at 32 hours per week. Despite the shorter workweek, the median household income is $71,091, which is higher than the national average. Finally, the state has a high percentage of female remote workers, at 27.52%, compared to the national average.

7. Colorado

Colorado claims seventh place on our list for the best states for working mothers. It has one of the lowest state income tax rates, at 4.40%, a higher-than-average minimum wage of $14.81, and it scores the most possible points for childcare tax support and family leave policies.

Additionally, the Centennial State scores high for its average weekly earnings ($1,346.35), which is higher than the national average ($1,175.29). Colorado supports the second-largest percentage of female remote workers in the nation, at 37.13%. Its median household income is $82,254, the tenth highest in the nation, and $13,010 more than the national average.

8. Rhode Island

Rhode Island has the lowest gender pay gap in the nation, with women earning 89.00% of what men earn on average when working full-time, year-round. The state also has the third shortest workweek, with people working an average of 32.7 hours. The minimum wage is also higher than average, at $15.00.

Weekly earnings in Rhode Island are $1191.26, which is higher than the national average. The median household income is $74,008, which is $4,764 more than the national average, making the state a great place for mothers who are most interested in high earnings with fewer work hours.

9. Virginia

Virginia ranks ninth for the best states for working mothers. The average cost of childcare is about 9.10% of a married couple’s income, which is less than the national average of 9.84%. Additionally, the median household income is $80,963, or $11,719 more than the national average. Virginia also ranks fifteenth in average weekly earnings ($1,214.71), which is above the national average of $1,175.29.

Virginia scores well due to its large percentage of female remote workers, at 30.71%, which is above the national average (24.88%). Similarly, the state saw one of the highest employment growth rates over the last year, at 1.3, which is higher than the national average of 0.9.

10. Connecticut

Finishing off our list for the best states for working mothers is Connecticut. The state earned the maximum number of points possible for its family leave policies. Other standout features include the minimum wage of $16.35, which is the fifth-highest in the nation, and the average weekly earnings of $1,303.36, which is the sixth-highest in the nation.

Connecticut has a small gender pay gap when compared to the national average. Women earn 83.90% of what men make on average when working full-time, year-round. Additionally, the median household income is $83,771, which is $14,527 above the national average, ranking it ninth in the nation.

Methodology

To determine which states are best for working mothers in 2025, the B2B Reviews research team compared childcare factors, job market conditions, work-life balance, and the cost of living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We used 12 key metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights.

Metrics that had a more significant impact on reducing financial burdens and increasing time spent with family were given more weight in the rankings. We ranked each state within each metric and then graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 points representing the most favorable environment for working mothers.

Childcare Factors – Total 25 Points

• Childcare Tax Support (8 points)
• We considered three types of childcare tax support that directly benefit mothers. States earned one point for each tax credit offered, for a maximum of three points. Below are the three types of tax credits we considered:
• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): Offers a credit to offset the cost of childcare, based on the amount of eligible expenses incurred by a parent.
• Child Tax Credit (CTC): This is a tax credit for parents with young children and is typically based on income and the number of children.
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A tax credit available for low-income workers, with an enhanced credit for workers with young children.
• Percent Cost of Childcare (10 points)
• Using the latest available data, we identified the median income of married couples in each state and determined what percentage of that income childcare generally costs. States with a lower percentage scored higher.
• Family Leave (7 points)
• Some states have mandatory or voluntary family leave policies, while some states have no regulations. Additionally, the average required leave period changes by state. We created a point system based on these factors, with a maximum of nine points. States that earned more points ranked higher.

Job Market – Total 25 Points

• Women’s Earnings as a Percentage of Men’s Earnings (10 points)
• Using data from the U.S. Department of Labor, we identified the average earnings of full-time, year-round working women and compared them to the average earnings of men to calculate the percentage. States where women earned a higher percentage (indicating a smaller gender pay gap) scored better.
• Minimum Wage (7 points)
• We found the most recent minimum wage data for each state. States with a higher minimum wage ranked higher.
• Employment Growth (8 points)
• Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, B2B Reviews found the employment growth for each state and the District of Columbia from 2024 to 2025. States with a higher percent change earned more points.

Work-Life Balance – Total 25 Points

• Average Work Hours per Week (8 points)
• Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we determined the average length of each workweek in every state. States with a shorter workweek earned more points.
• Average Weekly Earnings (9 points)
• We found the average weekly earnings nationwide. States with higher weekly earnings score higher.
• Percent of Female Remote Workers (8 points)
• The remote work scene is often important for working mothers. Using the most recent available data, we determined the percentage of female workers who were remote in each state. States with a higher percentage scored better, as this indicates a better remote-work environment.

Cost of Living – Total 25 Points

• Median Household Income (8 points)
• Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, we identified the median household income by state. Those with a larger household income ranked higher.
• Average Rent (9 points)
• Using data from companies that track real estate costs, we found what the average rent is by state. States with a lower average rent earned more points.
• State Income Tax (8 points)
• We identified the highest income tax for each state and the District of Columbia. States with a lower income tax rate scored better overall.

The Bottom Line

Despite playing a vital role in the economy and raising future generations, working mothers face numerous challenges both in the workforce and in their roles as parents. Improving work conditions for working mothers will lead to long-term success for both businesses and local families.

While state-level policies are important, businesses cannot forget their own involvement. As Tricia Dege says, “Regardless of state involvement, companies have the ability to adapt policies and procedures that support working mothers. This may require creativity in the form of collaboratives or partnerships across corporations to involve employers of all sizes,” she explains.

“Companies need to recognize that these basic factors weigh heavily on the female leadership pipeline. We can’t ignore the factors that are breaking rungs on the leadership ladder and leap to a desire for equity at the C-suite level.”

She further elaborates that working mothers can learn how to prioritize aspects of their lives to avoid burnout, taking ownership of what is immediately within their control.

Fair Use Statement

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. To celebrate working mothers everywhere and raise awareness for the challenges they face every day, share our findings so they can see how their state ranked. Feel free to share this report for non-commercial purposes, but please provide a link back to this page so readers can access our full research and methodology.