Best and worst states for working moms in 2025, ranked

LOS ANGELES - Nearly three-quarters of American moms with kids under 18 are part of the workforce, but not all states offer the same level of support for working parents. A WalletHub report compares all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine where working moms are most — and least — supported in 2025.

The study analyzed 17 key metrics across three main categories: child care, professional opportunities, and work-life balance. That includes everything from day care costs to female executive ratios to average commute times.

Which states are best for working moms in 2025?

By the numbers

Here are the top 10 states for working moms this year, according to WalletHub:

1. Massachusetts
2. Rhode Island
3. District of Columbia
4. Connecticut
5. Minnesota
6. New Jersey
7. Washington
8. Vermont
9. Wisconsin
10. Maine

Massachusetts led the study with high scores in every major category. The state offers strong parental leave protections, the highest-rated public school system, and one of the lowest unemployment rates for women. Moms working in Massachusetts also benefit from shorter average workweeks and excellent remote work infrastructure, which allows more flexibility in juggling home and work responsibilities.

Rhode Island came in second, with the smallest gender pay gap in the country. Women in the state earn 99.6% of what men do on average — a rare level of parity. The Ocean State also ranks high for executive representation and offers solid access to child care professionals and pediatricians. Combined with generous leave policies, Rhode Island has become a stronghold for career-driven parents.

Washington, D.C., ranked third, scored especially high in professional opportunity metrics. Women in D.C. enjoy some of the highest median salaries in the nation, and the District has one of the best female-to-male executive ratios. D.C. also has more pediatricians per capita than any other state and a high percentage of nationally accredited child care centers, easing the burden on parents looking for reliable support while they work.

(File: PeopleImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Where working moms face the biggest challenges

Dig deeper:

At the bottom of the list, states like Alabama (51st), Louisiana (50th) and Mississippi (49th) continue to struggle with low rankings in nearly every category. These states had some of the least supportive parental leave policies, higher rates of child poverty, and the weakest professional support systems for women in the workforce. Idaho ranked lowest in child care quality, while Utah landed last in female executive representation.

New York, despite ranking 11th overall, had the highest child care costs in the country as a percentage of women’s income — a reminder that even top-performing states can have trade-offs for working parents.

Big picture view:

While women’s employment has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, many working mothers are still navigating a workforce that isn’t always built with family needs in mind. Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub, says the best states offer more than just jobs — they provide peace of mind.

"Working moms have to carefully balance career opportunities with factors that provide a good environment for their children when deciding where to live," Happe said. "The best states provide equitable pay for women and the potential for career advancement, along with robust parental leave policies and high-quality child care, health care, and schools."