ContestsEvents

LISTEN LIVE

South Carolina Is One Of The Worst States For Working Moms

The way things are currently going with our economy, it’s no surprise that many women have to work.  Even if they have a partner or husband working, there are many…

Working Moms
Halfpoint/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The way things are currently going with our economy, it's no surprise that many women have to work.  Even if they have a partner or husband working, there are many women who also work outside of the home to help support and provide for their families.  According to WalletHub, women make up almost half of the U.S. workforce.  And of those, you have a lot of working moms.  In fact, in 2022, 73% of moms with children under 18 were working.

Being a working mom has its challenges. Not just trying to balance home and work life, but also the financial aspect.  We unfortunately still battle with inequality when it comes to the average hourly wage.  Women are still making around 82% of what men make.

It seems women are often put in a position where they have to choose between their career and their family.  And even though that doesn't seem fair, it's a reality.  Thankfully, there are places throughout the country that are making progress. Unfortunately, when WalletHub took a look at working moms in each state, South Carolina did not fare well.

When it comes to the best and worst states for working moms, South Carolina came in 50 out of 51! WalletHub took at look at 17 key metrics when determining the rankings.  These metrics include: child care availability and costs, professional opportunities, and work-life balance.

While Georgia does appear to be a little better for the working moms, we still ranked at 38 out of 51. To see the full list, click here.

5 Best States For Working Moms

5. Wisconsin

Wisconsin came in third on the list of states with the lowest gender pay gap.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
58.5111311
Wisconsin

Photo: benkrut/iStock/Getty Images

4. District of Columbia

The District of Columbia has the second highest female executive to male executive ratio.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
59.623137
District of Columbia

Photo: LUNAMARINA/Getty Images

3. Connecticut

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
61.065551
Connecticut

Photo: SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images

2. Rhode Island

Rhode Island does have the lowest gender pay gap out of all of the states. They also have the 5th highest female executive to male executive ratio.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
65.051022
Rhode Island

Photo: SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images

1. Massachusetts

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
66.202111
Massachusetts

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

5 Worst States For Working Moms

5. West Virginia

West Virginia has one of the worst gender pay gaps, coming in 47 out of 51.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
32.31475132
West Virginia

Photo: Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images

4. Mississippi

Mississippi does have some of the lowest child care costs, coming in 4th lowest.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
32.17444449
Mississippi

Photo: SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images

3. Alabama

Unfortunately, Alabama is a state that has a low female executive to male executive ratio. They also ranked 47 out of 51 when it comes to the daycare systems.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
31.04464743
Alabama

Photo: Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images

2. South Carolina

South Carolina comes in 49 out of 51 when it comes to female executive to male executive ratio.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
30.20484545
South Carolina

Photo: Kruck20/iStock/Getty Images

1. Louisiana

Louisiana ranks 48 out of 51 when it comes to daycare systems.

Total Score Child Care Professional Opportunities Work-Life Balance 
29.14505038
Louisiana

Photo: Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images

CodyEditor
“Cody” Blaine Jackson is one half of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99, and also serves as the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group in Augusta. She’s a Georgia native but currently resides just across the river in South Carolina. She started in the radio industry as a part-time board operator, and moved up through various roles, including on-air positions and program director for multiple stations. Her passions include fitness and anything to do with animals, as she has two fur babies, her dogs Harley and Waylon. Cody likes to write about pets, fitness and Augusta local events.