The Fact
In 2024, 74.0% of U.S. mothers with children under age 18 were in the labor force. The rate was 68.3% for mothers whose youngest child was under 6 and 78.0% for mothers whose youngest child was age 6–17.
What This Means
Paid employment is now a normal part of life for most mothers with minor children. The share varies substantially with the age of the youngest child.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Characteristics of Families, 2024.