A comparison of job satisfaction between it and non-IT women incumbents in clerical, professional, and managerial positions

Abstract

One explanation for the well-documented underrepresentation of women in IT jobs is that these jobs are somehow less satisfying for women. This study is the most complete investigation to date of whether this is true, and if so, in what aspects are IT jobs less satisfying. We examine facets of job satisfaction that merit employer attention and suggest intervention to increase the attractiveness of IT careers for women. In a representative sample of 9,617 employed women in the U.S., we compared women in IT employed at the clerical, professional, and managerial levels to comparable groups of non-IT employees on six important facets of job satisfaction with: job security, work itself, supervisor, compensation, work/life balance, and advancement/opportunities. For most facet comparisons across job levels, differences were not significant, generally indicating that IT careers are not less satisfying for women than comparable non-IT alternatives. However, satisfaction with work itself and job security were lower for women in professional IT jobs than for those in professional non-IT jobs. We finally discuss the implications of these findings for researchers and those who advise women on career choices.