Background: Workplace barriers contribute to low rates of exclusive breastfeeding practices. Therefore, this study aimed to compare exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors among employed and unemployed mothers with children of age 6–12 months in Bahirdar, northwest Ethiopia. Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was used from October 1 to November 15, 2021 in Bahirdar city among 260 employed and 263 unemployed mothers with children 6-12 months old. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. Data was collected using a structured and pre tested interview-based questionnaire checked, coded and entered into EPI-data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23 software, Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. Adjusted Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of association. Statistical significance was declared at P -value <0.05. Results: A total of 523 (263 unemployed and 260 employed) mothers were interviewed. Exclusive breastfeeding was higher among unemployed mothers 73% with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (68.0%–78.0%) than employed mothers 48.8 %with 95% CI (43.0% – 55.0%). parity of three children and above [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) =2.7, 95% CI: (1.53–4.99)], Place of delivery [AOR =3.09, 95% CI: (1.01–15.08)], good knowledge [AOR =4.1 95% CI:1.33–13.22)], and having onsite child care [AOR =3.5, 95% CI: (1.14–11.05)] were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding among employed mothers. In the case of unemployed mothers having husband support [AOR =3.08, 95% CI: (1.49–6.33)], having postnatal care [AOR =5.5, 95% CI: (2.66–11.6)], timely initiation of breastfeeding [AOR =3.3 ,95% CI: (1.04–10.8)] and good knowledge of mothers on exclusive breastfeeding [AOR =2.85, 95% CI:(1.22 –6.65)] were positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of Exclusive breastfeeding was lower among employed than unemployed mothers. Therefore, the government should promote exclusive breastfeeding by constructing onsite child care centers. Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, employment status, Ethiopia