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Why This Matters
Empowering a diverse STEM workforce is essential for innovation, competitiveness, and solving tomorrow’s biggest challenges.
Women in STEM: Progress, Gaps & Opportunities
- Representation Gap: Women hold approximately 50% of college degrees—but account for only 35% of the science & engineering workforce.
- Where Women Thrive (and Don’t): Social Sciences 65%, Life Sciences 48%, Physical Sciences 25%, Computer + Mathematical Sciences 26%, Engineering roles just 16%
- Growth Trend: From 2011–2021, women in STEM roles rose by 31%, growing faster than men—but wage parity remains elusive.
Race & Ethnicity in STEM
- Under-resourced Communities (URC): Hispanic, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native workers made up 24% of STEM jobs in 2021—up from 18% in 2011.
- Hispanic or Latine workers made up 14.8% of STEM jobs; 18.2% of all workers
- Black or African American workers made up 8.2% of STEM jobs; 11% of all workers
- Population Disparities: Though URC representation is rising, it still lags behind their 30% share of the overall U.S. population.
- Shifting Demographics: White STEM professionals declined from 74% in 2011 to 64% in 2021, reflecting meaningful—but incomplete—diversification.
- Gender + Ethnicity Intersection: The increase in female participation in science and engineering over the past two decades includes growing representation from all racial and ethnic groups—especially Hispanic/Latina and Asian women. However, Latina, Black, and Indigenous women combined represent less than 10% of the STEM workforce overall.
Women in Professional Occupations
- Women were 58% of workers in professional and related occupations in 2023, up from 52% in 1980. The professional occupation group includes 109 detailed occupations ranging from computer and mathematical jobs, to social service occupations, to health care practitioners.
- Workers in professional occupations tend to earn more than the typical U.S. worker. However, workers in majority-female occupations earn less than workers in majority-male occupations.
- 80% of workers in majority-female occupations are women. Some examples of majority-female occupations include registered nurses, teachers and social workers.
- Women are now filling 38% of majority-male professional jobs. Some examples of these occupations include computer scientists, physicians, lawyers and judges.
Key Takeaways & Calls to Action
- Target Growth Areas: Engineering, computer science, and physical sciences. These STEM sectors still face the widest gender and diversity gaps.
- Boost Inclusive Outreach: Programs tailored to women, URC, and people with disabilities are crucial to close the participation gapy.
- Prioritize Equity in Pay: Despite rising numbers, women and URC in STEM earn less than their counterparts—attention to equitable compensation should be a priority.
Learn More
The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2024 provides in-depth national and workforce insights.
NSF's ‘Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023’ offers updated trend analysis.