The severity and prevalence of occupational injuries remain a pressing concern worldwide. In South Korea, occupational accidents reached a 10-year high of 142,808 in 2023 despite stricter safety legislation, creating impacts that ripple through families, communities, and economies. This study investigated the longitudinal trajectories of self-efficacy and life satisfaction among injured workers who returned to work following the completion of medical care, with a particular focus on the role of gender. The study utilized data from the Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Korea and employed latent growth modeling. Findings revealed significant positive growth trends in both self-efficacy and life satisfaction over time. Notably, female injured workers experienced a slower rate of increase in self-efficacy compared to male injured workers, which in turn had a negative indirect relationship with increases in life satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender differences in the return-to-work process and the need for tailored support that addresses the unique challenges faced by female injured workers. Overall, this paper contributes to an enhanced understanding of the complex interplay between gender and well-being in the context of post-return-to-work experiences.