pink-collar

[ pingk-kol-er ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a type of employment traditionally held by women, especially relatively low-paying work:

   secretaries, phone operators, and other pink-collar workers.

pink-collar

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating low-paid occupations traditionally associated with female workers Compare blue-collar white-collar

Word History and Origins

Origin of pink-collar¹

1975–80; on the model of blue-collar and white-collar

Example Sentences

My job is definitely pink-collar — I’m an administrative assistant.

From New York Times

The fraction of black men who moved into so-called pink-collar jobs like nursing or clerical work was negligible.

From Literature

One reason men are reluctant to take pink-collar jobs is that overall, they pay less than male-dominated ones.

From Seattle Times

The fact that casting has been seen as pink-collar work has diminished the respect the profession commands, says Brian Herrera, a professor at Princeton who is writing a book on the history of casting.

From The Guardian

One reason men are reluctant to take pink-collar jobs is that over all, they pay less than male-dominated ones.

From New York Times