Final answer:
Women constitute 49.8 percent of total employment according to U.S. Census Bureau data. They have increased their presence in the workforce and education but still earn 77 percent of what men earn and are underrepresented in high-power roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question, "What % do women constitute of total employment?" requires an analysis of gender demographics in the labor market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women make up 49.8 percent of payroll employment. Despite this near parity in numbers, there is clear evidence of gender stratification, as women are not equally represented in high-earning or powerful positions.
In February 2022, 56.0% of women aged 20 and over were part of the workforce, a significant increase from past decades, highlighting women's growing role in employment. Increases in educational attainment among women have accompanied their increased workforce participation, with women earning the majority of undergraduate degrees and achieving near parity in professional degrees like law and medicine.
However, women's earnings are still only 77 percent of men's earnings for comparable jobs, and women are often found in traditional roles such as secretaries, nurses, and grade school teachers. The struggle for equality in employment extends to representation in powerful roles, with women yet to assume substantial numbers of top positions in large companies and in the U.S. Congress.