GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Aerospace Industry Statistics

Diversity efforts boost aerospace innovation, but representation remains comparatively low.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Female pilots account for about 3% of commercial pilots worldwide

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Less than 5% of aerospace startups are founded by women

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On average, women earn 20% less than men in the aerospace sector

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The percentage of women in engineering roles in aerospace is approximately 18%

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Only 8% of aerospace CEOs are women

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Just 12% of aerospace engineering students are women, indicating a gender gap early in education

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Only about 15% of aerospace industry leadership roles are held by women

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Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

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Women make up approximately 20% of the aerospace workforce globally

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Less than 10% of aerospace engineers are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

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Minority employees constitute around 12% of the aerospace workforce in North America

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The representation of Black employees in aerospace is approximately 9%, which is below the national average for STEM fields

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The percentage of Hispanic or Latino employees in aerospace industries is around 10%

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The retention rate of minority employees in aerospace is about 65%, lower than the industry average of 75%

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The proportion of LGBTQ+ employees in the aerospace industry is estimated to be below 5%, due to underreporting

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The number of minority-owned aerospace businesses has increased by 12% over the past five years

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Employees with disabilities constitute about 4% of the aerospace workforce, with many companies implementing disability inclusion programs

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The percentage of women in technical roles in aerospace is approximately 22%, still below parity

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The average age of aerospace industry workers is 43, with an increasing emphasis on bringing diverse age groups into the fold

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40% of new aerospace hires are women or minorities, indicating efforts to diversify recruitment

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The representation of Asian employees in aerospace industries is roughly 15%, according to industry reports

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25% of aerospace companies have specific diversity and inclusion programs

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Over 70% of aerospace companies recognize the importance of diversity for innovation

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In 2023, aerospace companies that implemented D&I initiatives saw a 15% increase in employee engagement

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45% of aerospace firms report that their diversity initiatives have increased innovation

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30% of aerospace industry executives believe there is a significant gap in equitable access to opportunities for minorities

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60% of aerospace companies have sustainability and diversity strategies that are interconnected

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66% of aerospace companies have training programs focused on unconscious bias

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A survey shows that 78% of aerospace employees believe increasing diversity will lead to better problem solving

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53% of aerospace companies lack comprehensive D&I metrics to monitor progress, indicating room for improvement

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68% of aerospace companies believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to their long-term strategy

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 20% of the aerospace workforce globally
Less than 10% of aerospace engineers are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
Only about 15% of aerospace industry leadership roles are held by women
Minority employees constitute around 12% of the aerospace workforce in North America
The representation of Black employees in aerospace is approximately 9%, which is below the national average for STEM fields
25% of aerospace companies have specific diversity and inclusion programs
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
Female pilots account for about 3% of commercial pilots worldwide
Less than 5% of aerospace startups are founded by women
The percentage of Hispanic or Latino employees in aerospace industries is around 10%
On average, women earn 20% less than men in the aerospace sector
Over 70% of aerospace companies recognize the importance of diversity for innovation
The percentage of women in engineering roles in aerospace is approximately 18%

Despite recognizing the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and competitiveness, the aerospace industry still grapples with significant disparities, with women and minorities underrepresented in the workforce and leadership roles, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for transformation.

Gender and Minority Representation

Female pilots account for about 3% of commercial pilots worldwide
Less than 5% of aerospace startups are founded by women
On average, women earn 20% less than men in the aerospace sector
The percentage of women in engineering roles in aerospace is approximately 18%
Only 8% of aerospace CEOs are women
Just 12% of aerospace engineering students are women, indicating a gender gap early in education

Gender and Minority Representation Interpretation

These stark statistics highlight that despite flying high ambitions, the aerospace industry still needs to bridge the gender gap at every altitude—from education to executive suites—to truly reach new heights of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Leadership and Executive Diversity

Only about 15% of aerospace industry leadership roles are held by women
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

Leadership and Executive Diversity Interpretation

Despite women holding only about 15% of leadership roles in aerospace, the fact that companies with diverse leadership outperform their competitors by 35% highlights that fostering gender equity isn't just morally right — it's financially flight-safe.

Workforce Composition and Demographics

Women make up approximately 20% of the aerospace workforce globally
Less than 10% of aerospace engineers are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
Minority employees constitute around 12% of the aerospace workforce in North America
The representation of Black employees in aerospace is approximately 9%, which is below the national average for STEM fields
The percentage of Hispanic or Latino employees in aerospace industries is around 10%
The retention rate of minority employees in aerospace is about 65%, lower than the industry average of 75%
The proportion of LGBTQ+ employees in the aerospace industry is estimated to be below 5%, due to underreporting
The number of minority-owned aerospace businesses has increased by 12% over the past five years
Employees with disabilities constitute about 4% of the aerospace workforce, with many companies implementing disability inclusion programs
The percentage of women in technical roles in aerospace is approximately 22%, still below parity
The average age of aerospace industry workers is 43, with an increasing emphasis on bringing diverse age groups into the fold
40% of new aerospace hires are women or minorities, indicating efforts to diversify recruitment
The representation of Asian employees in aerospace industries is roughly 15%, according to industry reports

Workforce Composition and Demographics Interpretation

Although progress is evident with increasing minority-owned businesses and diverse hires, the aerospace industry’s still-bridging gender and racial gaps highlight a pressing need to lift underrepresented groups into the flight path of true inclusivity and equity.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

25% of aerospace companies have specific diversity and inclusion programs
Over 70% of aerospace companies recognize the importance of diversity for innovation
In 2023, aerospace companies that implemented D&I initiatives saw a 15% increase in employee engagement
45% of aerospace firms report that their diversity initiatives have increased innovation
30% of aerospace industry executives believe there is a significant gap in equitable access to opportunities for minorities
60% of aerospace companies have sustainability and diversity strategies that are interconnected
66% of aerospace companies have training programs focused on unconscious bias
A survey shows that 78% of aerospace employees believe increasing diversity will lead to better problem solving
53% of aerospace companies lack comprehensive D&I metrics to monitor progress, indicating room for improvement
68% of aerospace companies believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to their long-term strategy

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

While a growing number of aerospace firms recognize that diversity fuels innovation and strategic success, the fact that only 25% have dedicated D&I programs and over half lack measurable metrics suggests the industry is still aiming for a space where inclusion truly reaches the altitude needed to propel it forward.