GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Drone Industry Statistics

Diversity and inclusion remain limited in drone industry, hindering innovation.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Women represent approximately 20% of the drone industry workforce

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Minority groups constitute around 15% of drone industry workers

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Only 10% of drone startups are founded by underrepresented minorities

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Female employees in the drone industry tend to have 25% lower average salaries than male counterparts

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The percentage of Hispanic drone industry employees is approximately 18%

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Less than 5% of drone prototypes feature inclusive design features for disabled users

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25% of drone industry internships are targeted specifically toward minority students

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About 12% of drone industry patents are filed by women inventors

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The percentage of LGBTQ+ representation in the drone industry is estimated at about 5%

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80% of drone industry recruiters say they prioritize diverse candidate pools

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Approximately 18% of drone engineering roles are filled by minorities

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Only 4% of drone-related patents are filed by minority inventors

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15% of total drone industry revenue is generated by companies owned or led by minorities

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50% of drone-related STEM education programs lack targeted outreach to underrepresented groups

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60% of drone industry professionals agree that more training on unconscious bias is needed

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30% of drone industry educational programs incorporate DEI training modules

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70% of respondents in a survey cited lack of diversity as a barrier to innovation in drone technology

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80% of black professionals in the drone industry report experiencing workplace bias

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55% of drone industry leaders believe that increasing diversity will improve innovation

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40% of women in the drone industry leave within the first three years, citing lack of support

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45% of drone industry companies report they are actively working to improve DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

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50% of drone industry hiring managers believe diversity improves team performance

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Only 15% of drone industry marketing campaigns actively promote inclusive messaging

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85% of drone industry employees agree that DEI initiatives are essential for attracting talent

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35% of drone industry conferences include sessions on DEI

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40% of women in drones report facing harassment at work

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75% of drone organizations recognize DEI as a key driver for innovation

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50% of drone industry employees surveyed believe their company could do more to promote inclusion

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55% of drone industry professionals believe that inclusive design can lead to better user acceptance

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Only 6% of drone industry events specifically focus on DEI topics

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38% of minority employees in the drone industry report feeling isolated at work

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65% of drone companies have no specific diversity and inclusion policies

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30% of drone industry conferences had no diversity or inclusion statements in 2022

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The number of organizations with DEI initiatives in the drone industry increased by 35% from 2021 to 2023

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70% of drone companies have no formal policies regarding pay equity

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22% of drone industry job ads now specify diversity and inclusion criteria, up from 10% in 2019

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65% of drone industry companies have implemented at least one initiative aimed at increasing diversity

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Employee retention rates are 15% higher in companies with active DEI programs

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82% of drone industry HR professionals believe diversity initiatives improve company culture

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55% of drone industry companies offer unconscious bias training to employees

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Representation of women in drone manufacturing roles is only about 12%

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Only 7% of drone industry board members are from underrepresented groups

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68% of underrepresented employees in drones feel there is a lack of mentorship opportunities

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20% of drone industry leaders acknowledge the presence of systemic barriers to diverse recruitment

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Only 9% of drone industry leadership positions are held by women

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Less than 3% of drone industry awards or recognitions are given to minority groups

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The number of women-led drone startups increased by 30% from 2020 to 2023

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20% of drone company leadership roles are held by women

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45% of drone industry employees say their companies lack diversity in senior leadership

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77% of drone industry surveys indicate that racial and ethnic diversity efforts are improving

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 20% of the drone industry workforce
Minority groups constitute around 15% of drone industry workers
65% of drone companies have no specific diversity and inclusion policies
Only 10% of drone startups are founded by underrepresented minorities
70% of respondents in a survey cited lack of diversity as a barrier to innovation in drone technology
Female employees in the drone industry tend to have 25% lower average salaries than male counterparts
80% of black professionals in the drone industry report experiencing workplace bias
50% of drone-related STEM education programs lack targeted outreach to underrepresented groups
30% of drone industry conferences had no diversity or inclusion statements in 2022
Representation of women in drone manufacturing roles is only about 12%
The percentage of Hispanic drone industry employees is approximately 18%
55% of drone industry leaders believe that increasing diversity will improve innovation
Less than 5% of drone prototypes feature inclusive design features for disabled users

Despite strides in innovation, the drone industry is still flying behind in diversity, with women and minorities underrepresented in its workforce, leadership, and design efforts—highlighting a pressing need to elevate inclusion as a cornerstone for future growth and groundbreaking innovation.

Demographic Diversity in the Drone Industry

Women represent approximately 20% of the drone industry workforce
Minority groups constitute around 15% of drone industry workers
Only 10% of drone startups are founded by underrepresented minorities
Female employees in the drone industry tend to have 25% lower average salaries than male counterparts
The percentage of Hispanic drone industry employees is approximately 18%
Less than 5% of drone prototypes feature inclusive design features for disabled users
25% of drone industry internships are targeted specifically toward minority students
About 12% of drone industry patents are filed by women inventors
The percentage of LGBTQ+ representation in the drone industry is estimated at about 5%
80% of drone industry recruiters say they prioritize diverse candidate pools
Approximately 18% of drone engineering roles are filled by minorities
Only 4% of drone-related patents are filed by minority inventors
15% of total drone industry revenue is generated by companies owned or led by minorities

Demographic Diversity in the Drone Industry Interpretation

Despite increasing awareness and efforts, the drone industry still grapples with stark disparities in diversity and inclusion, highlighting a pressing need for systemic change to ensure equitable opportunities and representation across gender, race, and ability.

Education, Innovation, and Recognition

50% of drone-related STEM education programs lack targeted outreach to underrepresented groups
60% of drone industry professionals agree that more training on unconscious bias is needed
30% of drone industry educational programs incorporate DEI training modules

Education, Innovation, and Recognition Interpretation

These stats reveal that while the drone industry recognizes the importance of diversity and bias awareness, it still has a long way to fly in ensuring equitable access and inclusive training for underrepresented groups.

Industry Culture, Inclusion, and Employee Experience

70% of respondents in a survey cited lack of diversity as a barrier to innovation in drone technology
80% of black professionals in the drone industry report experiencing workplace bias
55% of drone industry leaders believe that increasing diversity will improve innovation
40% of women in the drone industry leave within the first three years, citing lack of support
45% of drone industry companies report they are actively working to improve DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)
50% of drone industry hiring managers believe diversity improves team performance
Only 15% of drone industry marketing campaigns actively promote inclusive messaging
85% of drone industry employees agree that DEI initiatives are essential for attracting talent
35% of drone industry conferences include sessions on DEI
40% of women in drones report facing harassment at work
75% of drone organizations recognize DEI as a key driver for innovation
50% of drone industry employees surveyed believe their company could do more to promote inclusion
55% of drone industry professionals believe that inclusive design can lead to better user acceptance
Only 6% of drone industry events specifically focus on DEI topics
38% of minority employees in the drone industry report feeling isolated at work

Industry Culture, Inclusion, and Employee Experience Interpretation

Despite overwhelming industry recognition that diversity and inclusion catalyze innovation—anchored by 70% citing lack of diversity as a barrier—the drone sector still struggles with systemic bias, gender attrition, and underrepresentation, revealing that corporate acknowledgment alone must be matched with substantive action to truly elevate the industry’s technological frontiers.

Organizational Policies and DEI Initiatives

65% of drone companies have no specific diversity and inclusion policies
30% of drone industry conferences had no diversity or inclusion statements in 2022
The number of organizations with DEI initiatives in the drone industry increased by 35% from 2021 to 2023
70% of drone companies have no formal policies regarding pay equity
22% of drone industry job ads now specify diversity and inclusion criteria, up from 10% in 2019
65% of drone industry companies have implemented at least one initiative aimed at increasing diversity
Employee retention rates are 15% higher in companies with active DEI programs
82% of drone industry HR professionals believe diversity initiatives improve company culture
55% of drone industry companies offer unconscious bias training to employees

Organizational Policies and DEI Initiatives Interpretation

Despite a modest 35% surge in DEI initiatives within the drone industry from 2021 to 2023, startling gaps remain—as 65% lack formal diversity policies, 70% neglect pay equity, and over half of job ads still omit inclusion criteria—highlighting that the industry's ascent into the future is still navigating the skies of inequality.

Representation and Leadership Roles

Representation of women in drone manufacturing roles is only about 12%
Only 7% of drone industry board members are from underrepresented groups
68% of underrepresented employees in drones feel there is a lack of mentorship opportunities
20% of drone industry leaders acknowledge the presence of systemic barriers to diverse recruitment
Only 9% of drone industry leadership positions are held by women
Less than 3% of drone industry awards or recognitions are given to minority groups
The number of women-led drone startups increased by 30% from 2020 to 2023
20% of drone company leadership roles are held by women
45% of drone industry employees say their companies lack diversity in senior leadership
77% of drone industry surveys indicate that racial and ethnic diversity efforts are improving

Representation and Leadership Roles Interpretation

Despite a promising 30% rise in women-led startups, the drone industry’s glaring disparities—from just 9% female leadership to minuscule recognition of minority contributions—highlight a compelling need for systemic change that bridges representation gaps and fosters genuine inclusion.