GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Electrical Industry Statistics

Electrical industry DEI improves performance, inclusion, and representation significantly.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

50% of electrical companies have a dedicated DEI initiative

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Inclusion programs in electrical companies led to a 20% increase in employee satisfaction

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Electrical industry companies with robust DEI programs reported 25% fewer complaints related to workplace bias

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Diversity training participation in electrical firms increased by 30% between 2018 and 2022

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Nearly 50% of electrical projects now include diversity and inclusion considerations during planning, up from 20% in 2019

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The percentage of electrical businesses reporting gender diversity initiatives has doubled over the last decade, from 25% to 50%

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35% of electrical apprenticeship programs now include diversity training components, an increase from 15% five years ago

Statistic 8

Only 22% of electrical companies have a formal plan for racial equity, indicating room for improvement

Statistic 9

Electrical industry DEI initiatives have resulted in a 12% reduction in workplace grievances related to bias

Statistic 10

Unionized electrical workers are 45% more likely to access DEI resources than non-unionized counterparts

Statistic 11

15% of electrical companies have established employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on diversity

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60% of hiring managers in the electrical industry believe that cultural competency training is essential for DEI success

Statistic 13

Companies with more diverse boards are 40% more likely to have robust DEI policies

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Electrical industry annual expenditures on DEI initiatives have increased by 35% over the last three years

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70% of companies report that DEI initiatives have led to better problem-solving and innovation

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25% of electrical apprenticeship programs now provide mentorship specifically targeting underrepresented groups

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The average pay gap between men and women in the electrical industry is 7%

Statistic 18

Female electricians earn on average 92% of their male counterparts’ wages

Statistic 19

28% of electrical companies have implemented blind recruitment practices to reduce bias

Statistic 20

57% of electrical firms offer DEI-specific training modules

Statistic 21

Only 9% of electrical industry employee training hours are dedicated to DEI topics, signaling growth opportunities

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Women represent approximately 17% of the electrical workforce in the United States

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Black or African American workers make up about 9% of the electrical industry workforce

Statistic 24

Hispanic or Latino workers account for roughly 12% of electrical workers

Statistic 25

The percentage of women in the electrical industry has increased by 5% over the last decade

Statistic 26

78% of electrical companies have implemented DEI policies

Statistic 27

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

Statistic 28

65% of women in the electrical industry report experiencing gender bias

Statistic 29

20% of electrical apprenticeships are filled by women

Statistic 30

Minority-owned electrical businesses constitute approximately 12% of the total

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40% of electrical industry workers are aged 45 or older, indicating a need for more diverse youth recruitment

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15% of electrical industry workforce are veterans, highlighting the importance of veteran-focused DEI programs

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55% of electrical firms report difficulty in recruiting women and minorities

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The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the electrical industry is estimated at 4%

Statistic 35

Only 10% of electrical industry training programs are targeted specifically at underrepresented groups

Statistic 36

Electrical industry companies that prioritize DEI see a 15% higher retention rate among minority employees

Statistic 37

80% of electrical firms agree that diversity contributes to innovation

Statistic 38

Asian Americans comprise approximately 7% of the electrical workforce

Statistic 39

The rate of reporting discrimination in the electrical industry increased by 12% over the past five years

Statistic 40

35% of electrical apprenticeship applicants are women, yet only 20% complete the program, indicating a retention gap

Statistic 41

The median age of minority electrical workers is 39 years, younger than the overall median age of 45, pointing to increasing diversity among younger workers

Statistic 42

62% of electrical companies have mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups

Statistic 43

45% of minority electrical apprenticeships are sponsored by union programs, highlighting a pathway for DEI advancement

Statistic 44

68% of electrical companies believe increasing diversity improves customer relations

Statistic 45

The number of women in electrical engineering roles increased by 10% over the last five years

Statistic 46

Only 4% of electrical industry executives identify as LGBTQ+, indicating a gap in representation

Statistic 47

70% of electrical industry employees agree that leadership’s commitment to DEI influences company culture

Statistic 48

Over 60% of electrical industry job postings now explicitly encourage diverse applicants

Statistic 49

The representation of Latinx individuals in electrical roles increased by 8% from 2017 to 2022

Statistic 50

The proportion of underrepresented groups in electrical leadership roles has increased by approximately 5% in the past three years

Statistic 51

The use of targeted outreach programs for minorities in electrical apprenticeship recruitment rose by 25% in 2022

Statistic 52

The percentage of electrical firms tracking DEI metrics increased from 30% to 55% over five years

Statistic 53

82% of electrical industry professionals agree that increasing racial and gender diversity improves team performance

Statistic 54

In 2022, only 18% of electrical industry leadership roles held by women, reflecting slow progress in gender diversity

Statistic 55

The average annual retention rate for minority electrical apprenticeships is 72%, compared to 85% for majority groups, indicating retention challenges

Statistic 56

82% of minority electrical workers feel more included when their companies actively promote inclusive cultures

Statistic 57

The percentage of underrepresented minorities in electrical research and development roles grew by 6% between 2018 and 2023

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 17% of the electrical workforce in the United States
Black or African American workers make up about 9% of the electrical industry workforce
Hispanic or Latino workers account for roughly 12% of electrical workers
The percentage of women in the electrical industry has increased by 5% over the last decade
78% of electrical companies have implemented DEI policies
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
65% of women in the electrical industry report experiencing gender bias
20% of electrical apprenticeships are filled by women
Minority-owned electrical businesses constitute approximately 12% of the total
50% of electrical companies have a dedicated DEI initiative
The average pay gap between men and women in the electrical industry is 7%
40% of electrical industry workers are aged 45 or older, indicating a need for more diverse youth recruitment
15% of electrical industry workforce are veterans, highlighting the importance of veteran-focused DEI programs

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are transforming the electrical industry—driving innovation, improving retention, and highlighting both significant progress and key challenges in building a more representative workforce.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Programs

50% of electrical companies have a dedicated DEI initiative
Inclusion programs in electrical companies led to a 20% increase in employee satisfaction
Electrical industry companies with robust DEI programs reported 25% fewer complaints related to workplace bias
Diversity training participation in electrical firms increased by 30% between 2018 and 2022
Nearly 50% of electrical projects now include diversity and inclusion considerations during planning, up from 20% in 2019
The percentage of electrical businesses reporting gender diversity initiatives has doubled over the last decade, from 25% to 50%
35% of electrical apprenticeship programs now include diversity training components, an increase from 15% five years ago
Only 22% of electrical companies have a formal plan for racial equity, indicating room for improvement
Electrical industry DEI initiatives have resulted in a 12% reduction in workplace grievances related to bias
Unionized electrical workers are 45% more likely to access DEI resources than non-unionized counterparts
15% of electrical companies have established employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on diversity
60% of hiring managers in the electrical industry believe that cultural competency training is essential for DEI success
Companies with more diverse boards are 40% more likely to have robust DEI policies
Electrical industry annual expenditures on DEI initiatives have increased by 35% over the last three years
70% of companies report that DEI initiatives have led to better problem-solving and innovation
25% of electrical apprenticeship programs now provide mentorship specifically targeting underrepresented groups

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Programs Interpretation

While electrical companies have significantly wired their workplaces with diversity initiatives—boosting inclusion efforts, reducing bias complaints, and fostering innovation—the fact that only 22% have formal racial equity plans highlights there's still plenty of current to flow in the right direction.

Economic Impact and Wage Gaps

The average pay gap between men and women in the electrical industry is 7%
Female electricians earn on average 92% of their male counterparts’ wages

Economic Impact and Wage Gaps Interpretation

While a 7% pay gap might seem small, it's a signal that even in a field that's all about bright sparks, there's still some gender wiring to do to achieve true equity.

Organizational Policies, Metrics, and Industry Trends

28% of electrical companies have implemented blind recruitment practices to reduce bias

Organizational Policies, Metrics, and Industry Trends Interpretation

With only 28% of electrical companies adopting blind recruitment, the industry still has a long arc to straighten in its quest for true diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Training, Apprenticeships, and Career Development

57% of electrical firms offer DEI-specific training modules
Only 9% of electrical industry employee training hours are dedicated to DEI topics, signaling growth opportunities

Training, Apprenticeships, and Career Development Interpretation

While over half of electrical firms are plugging into DEI training, the mere 9% of hours dedicated to these topics highlights a looming circuit breaker—there's substantial room to energize inclusivity from concept to practice.

Workforce Demographics and Representation

Women represent approximately 17% of the electrical workforce in the United States
Black or African American workers make up about 9% of the electrical industry workforce
Hispanic or Latino workers account for roughly 12% of electrical workers
The percentage of women in the electrical industry has increased by 5% over the last decade
78% of electrical companies have implemented DEI policies
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
65% of women in the electrical industry report experiencing gender bias
20% of electrical apprenticeships are filled by women
Minority-owned electrical businesses constitute approximately 12% of the total
40% of electrical industry workers are aged 45 or older, indicating a need for more diverse youth recruitment
15% of electrical industry workforce are veterans, highlighting the importance of veteran-focused DEI programs
55% of electrical firms report difficulty in recruiting women and minorities
The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the electrical industry is estimated at 4%
Only 10% of electrical industry training programs are targeted specifically at underrepresented groups
Electrical industry companies that prioritize DEI see a 15% higher retention rate among minority employees
80% of electrical firms agree that diversity contributes to innovation
Asian Americans comprise approximately 7% of the electrical workforce
The rate of reporting discrimination in the electrical industry increased by 12% over the past five years
35% of electrical apprenticeship applicants are women, yet only 20% complete the program, indicating a retention gap
The median age of minority electrical workers is 39 years, younger than the overall median age of 45, pointing to increasing diversity among younger workers
62% of electrical companies have mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups
45% of minority electrical apprenticeships are sponsored by union programs, highlighting a pathway for DEI advancement
68% of electrical companies believe increasing diversity improves customer relations
The number of women in electrical engineering roles increased by 10% over the last five years
Only 4% of electrical industry executives identify as LGBTQ+, indicating a gap in representation
70% of electrical industry employees agree that leadership’s commitment to DEI influences company culture
Over 60% of electrical industry job postings now explicitly encourage diverse applicants
The representation of Latinx individuals in electrical roles increased by 8% from 2017 to 2022
The proportion of underrepresented groups in electrical leadership roles has increased by approximately 5% in the past three years
The use of targeted outreach programs for minorities in electrical apprenticeship recruitment rose by 25% in 2022
The percentage of electrical firms tracking DEI metrics increased from 30% to 55% over five years
82% of electrical industry professionals agree that increasing racial and gender diversity improves team performance
In 2022, only 18% of electrical industry leadership roles held by women, reflecting slow progress in gender diversity
The average annual retention rate for minority electrical apprenticeships is 72%, compared to 85% for majority groups, indicating retention challenges
82% of minority electrical workers feel more included when their companies actively promote inclusive cultures
The percentage of underrepresented minorities in electrical research and development roles grew by 6% between 2018 and 2023

Workforce Demographics and Representation Interpretation

Despite a decade of modest gains, with women now comprising 17% of the U.S. electrical workforce and diverse leadership correlating with a 35% performance boost, the industry still faces a steep uphill climb in achieving true inclusivity, as persistent biases, retention gaps, and underrepresentation—particularly among women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals—highlight that plugging into diversity remains a work in progress rather than a completed circuit.