Why This Matters
The U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce fuels innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Yet access and representation across STEM fields remain uneven. The statistics below highlight participation trends, growth areas, and persistent gaps shaping the future of STEM education and careers.
Women in STEM: Progress, Gaps & Opportunities
Representation Across Education and the Workforce
Women earn approximately 50% of all college degrees and make up 48% of the overall U.S. workforce, yet they account for only 35% of the STEM workforce. This gap underscores a continued disconnect between education and participation in many high-growth STEM careers.
Where Women are Represented in STEM Fields
Women’s participation varies widely by discipline:
- Social sciences: 65%
- Life sciences: 48%
- Physical sciences: 25%
- Computer and mathematical sciences: 26%
- Engineering: 16%
Engineering and computing continue to show the lowest representation, despite strong job growth and earning potential in these fields.¹
STEM Occupation Breakdown
Within the STEM workforce:
- Men account for 73% of science and engineering (S&E) occupations
- Men account for 89% of STEM middle-skill occupations
- Women represent 65% of S&E-related occupations, including health professions, education, management, and technical roles
These patterns reveal both concentration and segmentation across STEM career pathways.²
Science and engineering roles include fields like computing, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. Middle‑skill STEM jobs require strong science or technology skills but are not traditional science or engineering roles. S&E‑related roles include health careers, STEM teaching, technical fields, and related management positions.
Growth Trends Over Time
From 2011 to 2021, the number of women working in STEM roles increased by 31%, outpacing growth among men. Despite this progress, wage parity has not been achieved, signaling the need for continued attention to career advancement and compensation. ¹
Race & Ethnicity in STEM
Participation from Under-Resourced Communities
In 2021, Hispanic, Black, and American Indian/Alaska Native workers held 24% of STEM jobs, up from 18% in 2011. While this reflects steady progress, representation still trails their 30% share of the total U.S. population.
STEM Workforce by Group
- Hispanic or Latine workers: 14.8% of STEM jobs; 18.2% of all U.S. workers
- Black or African American workers: 8.2% of STEM jobs; 11% of all U.S. workers
These differences highlight persistent participation gaps across many STEM fields.
Changing Demographics in STEM
The share of White STEM professionals declined from 74% in 2011 to 64% in 2021, reflecting meaningful—but still incomplete—changes in workforce composition.
Gender and Ethnicity Together
Growth in women’s participation in science and engineering over the past two decades includes increased representation across all racial and ethnic groups, particularly Hispanic/Latina and Asian women. However, Latina, Black, and Indigenous women combined represent less than 10% of the total STEM workforce, indicating continued barriers at the intersection of gender and race. ³
Women in Professional Occupations
In 2023, women made up 58% of workers in professional and related occupations, up from 52% in 1980. This broad category includes 109 detailed occupations, spanning computer and mathematical roles, social services, and health care.
Professional occupations generally offer higher earnings than the typical U.S. job. However:
- Workers in majority-female occupations earn less than those in majority-male occupations
- 80% of workers in majority-female occupations are women, including registered nurses, teachers, and social workers
- Women now hold 38% of majority-male professional jobs, such as computer scientists, physicians, lawyers, and judges
These trends reflect expanding access alongside ongoing differences in pay and occupational concentration.⁴
Key Insights and Calls to Action
- High-need growth areas: Engineering, computer science, and physical sciences continue to show the largest participation gaps
- Early and sustained engagement matters: Access to quality STEM learning experiences remains critical to expanding the future talent pool
- Participation and pay are linked: Increases in representation have not yet translated into equal earnings across many STEM roles
Understanding these dynamics is essential for building a strong, future-ready STEM workforce.