Female painters lead global demand as women enter skilled trades

The skilled trades industry has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated space, but new research suggests that attitudes are shifting as more women enter, and are actively sought after, in professions ranging from painting and decorating to mechanics and welding.

Painters and decorators have emerged as the world’s most in-demand female trade, with South Africa among the countries where interest in women working in the sector is growing.

A new global study by MoneySuperMarket found that online searches for “female tradespeople” increased by 313% over the past year, reflecting growing curiosity and demand for women working in traditionally male-led industries.

The research analysed Google search data from May 2025 to May 2026 across 162 countries, comparing interest in various skilled trades performed by women.

Painting and decorating tops global rankings

Picture: Supplied

According to MoneySuperMarket’s In-demand Female Trades report, female painters and decorators ranked first worldwide, topping searches in 46 countries, around 28% of those analysed, including South Africa, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Hong Kong.

Female mechanics followed in second place, leading searches in 27 countries, while female butchers ranked third after topping the list in 23 countries. Welding and locksmith roles completed the global top five.

The findings come as more women explore opportunities in skilled professions, with online platforms also playing a role in changing perceptions. Tradeswomen sharing their daily experiences on platforms such as TikTok have helped showcase these careers to wider audiences.

MoneySuperMarket’s research highlights that homeowners and customers are also showing changing preferences when choosing service providers.

Previous research from the Federation of Master Builders found that some homeowners prefer hiring female tradespeople, citing factors including feeling more comfortable and supporting women entering non-traditional careers.

In South Africa, where skilled trades remain an important part of the economy, the increased visibility of women in these fields is contributing to conversations around career opportunities and representation.

From construction sites to independent businesses, women across the country are increasingly building careers in industries that have historically had fewer female professionals.

Alicia Hempsted, Van Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, said the changing landscape was being reflected in how people search for and engage with tradespeople.

“Globally, a real shift is beginning to happen when it comes to attitudes towards female tradespeople and it is exciting to witness. People worldwide are now actively seeking diverse tradespeople, and changing preferences are now clearly evident in the rising search demand.”

She added: “At the same time, tradeswomen being open and sharing their day-to-day work online is massively helping to inspire more women to pursue careers in skilled trades.”

The study also found that female mechanics were particularly popular in Brazil, where searches reached 2.8 million in the past year, while female butchers attracted the highest search interest in France with 3.9 million searches.

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Source: MoneySuperMarket