Top Industries for Women-Owned Federal Contractors

The federal government sets aside contracts for women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs) — but only in specific industries that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has formally designated. Knowing which industries qualify is the difference between competing for set-aside work and missing it entirely. Here's where the opportunity concentrates, grounded in SBA rules and the Womyn Owned directory of 5,581 certified vendors.

Which industries can a women-owned business win federal set-aside contracts in?

Not every industry qualifies. The SBA studies the federal marketplace every five years and designates only the NAICS codes where women-owned firms are underrepresented. Under the SBA's 2022 designation, 759 NAICS industries are eligible for WOSB or EDWOSB set-asides — a roughly 70% increase over the prior list.

Those 759 industries split into two pools, and the pool determines who can compete:

• 646 "substantially underrepresented" industries — open to any certified WOSB set-aside or sole-source award. No economic-disadvantage test applies.
• 113 "underrepresented" industries — reserved for certified EDWOSBs, where the owner must also meet the economic-disadvantage thresholds.

What are the top industries for women-owned federal contractors?

Because eligibility is NAICS-driven, the strongest B2B categories are the ones that combine a designated NAICS code with steady federal demand. In the Womyn Owned directory, vendors cluster heavily in professional and technical services — the same areas where federal agencies buy the most from small businesses.

Professional and technical services

Management consulting, IT and software services, engineering, and research and scientific work dominate the certified-vendor pool. These map to NAICS codes that are well represented in the SBA's eligible-industries list and align with how agencies structure professional-services contracts.

Administrative, staffing, and facilities support

Staffing and HR, facilities services, training and educational services, and marketing/PR are common WOSB categories — labor- and service-intensive work that agencies routinely set aside.

Construction, manufacturing, and specialized trades

Construction trades, manufacturing/production, and security/safety services round out the field. Note the sole-source thresholds differ here: an EDWOSB/WOSB sole-source award cannot exceed $7 million for a manufacturing NAICS code or $4.5 million for all other requirements.

How much federal work actually goes to women-owned small businesses?

The government-wide goal is statutory: at least 5% of all federal prime and subcontract dollars to women-owned small businesses each year (15 U.S.C. 644(g)). In FY2023, WOSBs received $30.9 billion — 4.91% of eligible dollars — the highest dollar total on record but narrowly short of the 5% goal.

Within the Womyn Owned directory of 5,581 certified WOSB/EDWOSB B2B vendors, 945 firms show federal contract activity totaling roughly $2.83 billion in obligations — concrete evidence that certified women-owned vendors are actively winning federal work across these industries.

Where are women-owned federal contractors concentrated geographically?

Vendor density tracks the federal buying map — states near Washington, D.C., and large population centers lead. Across the directory's coverage of all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, the top states by certified-vendor count are:

1. Virginia — 520 vendors
2. California — 494 vendors
3. Texas — 489 vendors
4. Florida — 472 vendors
5. Georgia — 400 vendors
6. Maryland — 357 vendors

Virginia's and Maryland's lead reflects proximity to federal agencies in the National Capital Region — a useful signal for buyers building a regional supplier base.

What's the difference between a WOSB and an EDWOSB contractor?

Both require a small business that is at least 51% unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens, with those women managing daily operations. An EDWOSB is the same — plus the owner must be economically disadvantaged under 13 CFR 127.203:

• Personal net worth less than $850,000 (excluding the business and primary residence)
• Adjusted gross income averaged over the prior three years that does not exceed $400,000
• Total assets of $6.5 million or less, including the home and the business

In the directory, 1,831 of the 5,581 vendors hold EDWOSB certification, giving them access to both pools of eligible industries. Browse certified WOSB vendors or EDWOSB vendors directly.