Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Electrical Industry

With $1.0 trillion planned for U.S. transmission and distribution through 2030 and 3.5 million clean energy transition jobs needed globally by 2030, the electrical industry cannot afford to leave talent out. Yet the workforce picture is uneven, from women making up just 13% of electrical construction workers to only 28% of U.S. electrical contracting firms reporting a formal DEI plan. This post connects the hard workforce and business metrics to show where progress is happening and where the gap is still wide.

Key Takeaways

3.1% of electricians in the U.S. identified as Asian in 2020 (CPS detailed)
23% of electrical workers are represented by unions in the U.S. (union membership rate for electricians and related workers)
16% of electrical occupations have reported apprenticeship participation by women in the U.S. (where applicable)
1.9% year-over-year growth in supplier diversity spend in 2023 for a leading U.S. utility (annual report)
$7.9 billion global DEI software market size in 2023
$14.7 billion global corporate training market for DEI initiatives in 2024
$5.1 billion global workplace analytics market size in 2023 (includes DEI analytics)
65% of respondents in a 2023 survey said they believe DEI improves business performance (U.S.)
27% lower employee turnover in teams with higher inclusion scores in 2021 (meta analysis)
2.3 percentage-point higher operating income growth for companies with diverse executive teams (study)
$1.0 trillion in U.S. transmission and distribution grid investment planned through 2030 (IEA)
3.5 million workers needed globally for clean energy transitions by 2030 (IEA)
48% of energy transition jobs are projected to require STEM or technical training (World Economic Forum)
33% of employees report they would feel uncomfortable reporting discrimination, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center analysis
2.4x higher likelihood of reporting intent to stay among employees who perceive inclusion at their organization as high, based on a 2021 peer-reviewed meta-analysis published in a management journal

DEI is gaining momentum in electrical work, improving inclusion outcomes and attracting investment and talent.

01 · Category

Workforce Composition2 stats

3.1% of electricians in the U.S. identified as Asian in 2020 (CPS detailed)

23% of electrical workers are represented by unions in the U.S. (union membership rate for electricians and related workers)

Interpretation

Workforce Composition Interpretation

In workforce composition terms, Asian representation among U.S. electricians stood at just 3.1% in 2020, while 23% of electrical workers were union members, pointing to uneven demographic presence alongside a more established collective workforce structure.

02 · Category

Hiring & Promotion1 stats

16% of electrical occupations have reported apprenticeship participation by women in the U.S. (where applicable)

Interpretation

Hiring & Promotion Interpretation

In hiring and promotion, just 16% of electrical occupations report women participating in apprenticeships in the U.S., suggesting a relatively limited pipeline into the roles these pathways lead to.

03 · Category

Supplier Diversity1 stats

1.9% year-over-year growth in supplier diversity spend in 2023 for a leading U.S. utility (annual report)

Interpretation

Supplier Diversity Interpretation

In 2023, a leading U.S. utility reported 1.9% year-over-year growth in supplier diversity spend, signaling steady progress for the Supplier Diversity push in the electrical industry.

04 · Category

Market Size4 stats

$7.9 billion global DEI software market size in 2023

$14.7 billion global corporate training market for DEI initiatives in 2024

$5.1 billion global workplace analytics market size in 2023 (includes DEI analytics)

$3.6 billion global DEI consulting services market size in 2023 (forecast)

Interpretation

Market Size Interpretation

For the electrical industry’s DEI market size, spending is already substantial and still expanding, with the global DEI software market at $7.9 billion in 2023 and the corporate training market for DEI initiatives reaching $14.7 billion in 2024, while workplace analytics and consulting add further momentum at $5.1 billion and $3.6 billion respectively in 2023.

05 · Category

Business Impact4 stats

65% of respondents in a 2023 survey said they believe DEI improves business performance (U.S.)

27% lower employee turnover in teams with higher inclusion scores in 2021 (meta analysis)

2.3 percentage-point higher operating income growth for companies with diverse executive teams (study)

35% of employees report better engagement when managers demonstrate inclusive leadership behaviors (global Gallup study)

Interpretation

Business Impact Interpretation

Across the Business Impact evidence, companies tied to stronger inclusion and diversity are seeing measurable performance benefits, including 2.3 percentage-point higher operating income growth for firms with diverse executive teams and 27% lower employee turnover in teams with higher inclusion scores.

06 · Category

Industry Trends3 stats

$1.0 trillion in U.S. transmission and distribution grid investment planned through 2030 (IEA)

3.5 million workers needed globally for clean energy transitions by 2030 (IEA)

48% of energy transition jobs are projected to require STEM or technical training (World Economic Forum)

Interpretation

Industry Trends Interpretation

With $1.0 trillion planned for U.S. transmission and distribution grid investment through 2030 alongside a projected need for 3.5 million workers globally for clean energy transitions by 2030, the industry trends point to a major talent pipeline shift that makes STEM and technical training essential for 48% of energy transition jobs.

Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Video Game Industry Statistics

07 · Category

Workplace Experience1 stats

33% of employees report they would feel uncomfortable reporting discrimination, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center analysis

Interpretation

Workplace Experience Interpretation

With 33% of employees saying they would feel uncomfortable reporting discrimination, workplace experience in the electrical industry is being shaped by a real barrier to speaking up.

08 · Category

Retention And Mobility1 stats

2.4x higher likelihood of reporting intent to stay among employees who perceive inclusion at their organization as high, based on a 2021 peer-reviewed meta-analysis published in a management journal

Interpretation

Retention And Mobility Interpretation

In the retention and mobility lens, employees who perceive high inclusion are 2.4 times more likely to report an intent to stay, underscoring inclusion as a key driver of retention based on a 2021 peer-reviewed meta-analysis.

09 · Category

Industry Representation1 stats

In 2022, the share of women in the electrical construction workforce was 13% according to the IEC/Associated General Contractors joint workforce survey

Interpretation

Industry Representation Interpretation

In 2022, women made up just 13% of the electrical construction workforce, underscoring that gender representation within the electrical industry still skews heavily toward men.

10 · Category

Performance And Outcomes1 stats

In 2020, inclusive teams were 17% more likely to be high-performing, according to a 2021 peer-reviewed study in organizational psychology

Interpretation

Performance And Outcomes Interpretation

In the Performance and Outcomes lens, a 2021 peer-reviewed study found that in 2020 inclusive teams were 17% more likely to be high-performing, pointing to a clear performance upside tied to inclusion.

11 · Category

Policy And Programs1 stats

In 2023, 28% of U.S. electrical contracting firms reported having a formal DEI plan, according to a 2023 electrical contractors survey by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)

Interpretation

Policy And Programs Interpretation

In 2023, only 28% of U.S. electrical contracting firms had a formal DEI plan, showing that policy and program commitments for inclusion remain limited across the industry.

Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA

Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Electrical Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-electrical-industry-statistics

MLA

Stefan Wendt. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Electrical Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-electrical-industry-statistics.

Chicago

Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Electrical Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-electrical-industry-statistics.