Female teachers report worse work-life balance than men: Is gender equity in US schools still an illusion?

A new RAND Corporation report has found that female teachers in the US face significantly more challenges in achieving work-life balance than their male counterparts. The findings, drawn from the 2025 State of the American Teacher Survey, reveal that rigid work schedules, high levels of household responsibility and limited personal time contribute to the gender disparity.The survey included responses from 1,419 educators and showed that women—who make up 75% of the US teaching workforce—were more likely than men to feel overwhelmed by the demands of both their jobs and home life. These findings highlight a persistent gap in workplace equity across the education sector.Less flexibility and more emotional burdenAccording to the report, nearly three-quarters of female teachers said it was somewhat or very difficult to change their work schedule to accommodate personal matters.

This compared to 62% of male educators. Additionally, 63% of women reported difficulty in taking a personal phone call during work hours, while only 48% of men said the same.More than half of female teachers stated they were frequently or always too tired for personal activities after work. In contrast, only 27% of male educators reported similar fatigue levels. Furthermore, 44% of women admitted they worry about work even when they are off-duty, compared to 33% of men.

Work-life balance comparison from the 2025 State of the American Teacher Survey

Unequal household responsibilitiesA significant contributing factor identified in the survey is the time spent on household duties. Female teachers with children reported spending an average of 41 hours per week on chores and childcare. Male teachers in the same category spent 30 hours. Leisure time also varied widely—men had 45 hours weekly, while women had only 33.“One of the really big drivers of challenges with job flexibility and its relationship to well-being is the amount of time that teachers, particularly female teachers, spend on household duties, particularly child care, outside of working hours,” said Elizabeth Steiner, co-author of the survey, as quoted by The 74 Million.Comparison with other professionalsThe report also compared teacher responses with those from 507 US adults with bachelor’s degrees who work similar hours. It found that 70% of teachers faced difficulty adjusting schedules for family needs, compared to only 22% of other professionals. Educators also spent an average of 25 hours per week on household work, while non-teachers spent 16.Role of benefits and workplace supportOnly 29% of teachers received above-average benefits like paid parental leave, retirement and health insurance.

Among other professionals, that figure was 49%. The survey found that access to more comprehensive benefits improved well-being and reduced work-life challenges.Teachers reported that flexible work options such as wellness days, adjusted schedules, and reduced administrative load helped improve their balance. However, over half of respondents said their schools offered no support at all, as reported by The 74 Million.