August's jobs report revealed that women were responsible for nearly all of the payroll gains, adding approximately 158,000 jobs out of the 162,000 total jobs created, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data analyzed by CNBC. The contribution from men was significantly smaller, with only about 4,000 positions added, highlighting a stark gender disparity in the latest labor market gains. This trend marks a shift in employment patterns and underscores the increasing influence women have in the workforce.

Over the past year, the number of employed women has risen by more than 870,000, whereas men have seen a decline of nearly 1.5 million jobs. Industries driving this growth include healthcare and education, sectors traditionally dominated by women. For instance, the healthcare sector, which has been a key engine of job creation for over a year, consists of over 80% female workers, while the resurgence in local government and education roles—where nearly three-quarters of positions are held by women—also contributed significantly to August's employment expansion.

Despite women’s strong hiring performance, the report showed some contrasting labor market dynamics. The unemployment rate for women fell to 3.9% in August, improving from a year earlier, while the male unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.4%, matching the previous year’s level. The overall payroll increase of 162,000 jobs far exceeded economists’ expectations and was largely credited to women’s gains, which helped lift the broader economic outlook amid uneven job market conditions.

Experts caution that monthly gender-specific data can be volatile and advise viewing the broader trends rather than short-term fluctuations. Some analysts note that women’s dominance in job gains may partly reflect increased hiring in lower-wage positions, as women often earn less than men. Additionally, since women are more likely to hold multiple jobs, some of the growth might result from workers taking on additional positions, adding complexity to the positive headline in women’s employment gains.