With Mother’s Day approaching, a new WalletHub study highlights the best states for working moms in 2025, evaluating career opportunities, childcare, and work-life balance across the U.S.
New York ranks in the top 10 for working moms
New York secured the 10th overall spot in WalletHub’s national rankings. The state performed especially well in critical categories, including:
- Day-care quality: 2nd highest in the nation
- Pediatricians per capita: 5th place
- Parental-leave policy score: 7th overall
- Gender pay gap: 16th (women’s earnings compared to men)
While New York excelled in childcare and healthcare access, it ranked 22nd for median women’s salary when adjusted for cost of living, reflecting the state’s high expenses.
How the rankings were determined
WalletHub’s 2025 analysis compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 17 key metrics, such as:
- Median earnings for women
- Female unemployment rate
- Quality of childcare systems
- Access to pediatric care
- Parental leave policies
- Ratio of female to male executives
Researchers combined these factors into three main dimensions: child care, professional opportunities, and work-life balance.
Massachusetts tops the 2025 list
Massachusetts earned the top overall ranking for working mothers this year, thanks to:
- High numbers of childcare workers per capita
- Strong parental leave policies
- Top-rated public schools
- Robust remote work opportunities
Other states rounding out the top five included Rhode Island, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Key challenges working moms still face
Despite improvements in several areas, experts note that working mothers continue to face obstacles in balancing career and family life. Key issues include:
- Unequal paid leave policies between men and women
- Limited access to affordable, high-quality childcare
- Persistent wage gaps across most industries
Policymakers and employers are being urged to expand support through better leave programs, tax credits for childcare, and flexible work arrangements.
Where to find the full report
WalletHub’s complete 2025 report on the best and worst states for working moms is available here. The study includes detailed rankings, expert commentary, and state-by-state comparisons.
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