Published
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 34% 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 15%
- 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.
- 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.
Disability & STEM
- Workers with disabilities make up 3% of the total workforce; of these, 21% are in STEM roles—slightly below the 24% rate for employees without disabilities.
- Encouragingly, the number of STEM professionals with disabilities reached 1 million in 2021.
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
Science & Engineering Indicators 2022 (NSB–2022–1) provides in-depth national and workforce insights.
NSF's ‘Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023’ offers updated trend analysis.