Gitnux/Report 2026

Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Heavy Industry Statistics

See how equity and inclusion in heavy industry are shifting beyond slogans as recent 2025 and 2026 benchmarks reveal where progress is real and where it stalls. The page puts representation and workforce experience side by side so you can spot the gaps that keep closures, hiring, and advancement from adding up.
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July 3, 2026Updated
Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Heavy Industry Statistics
David KowalskiWritten by David Kowalski·Edited by Diana Reeves·Fact-checked by Rebecca Hargrove
Published ·Updated
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Disability inclusion data in heavy industry paints a clear pattern. Executive representation for people with disabilities sits at 3.2% in U.S. mining firms and 4.5% in heavy machinery, while accommodations are linked to a 22% retention lift in oil and gas. This article connects those figures to hiring, promotion, and leadership outcomes across heavy plants, trades, and supply chains.

Key Takeaways

  • In mining leadership, people with disabilities held 3.2% of executive positions in U.S. 2023 firms.
  • In heavy industry leadership, women CEOs were 4.1% in U.S. firms 2023.
  • In 2022, women comprised only 16.1% of the total workforce in the U.S. manufacturing sector, which is a key part of heavy industry, down from 18.2% in 2019 due to pandemic-related shifts.
  • In heavy industry, LGBTQ+ employees self-identified at 4.2% in U.S. 2023 surveys.
  • Black or African American workers made up 10.2% of the U.S. heavy construction workforce in 2022, compared to 12.6% national average.

Heavy industry shows progress in diversity, but leaders must close persistent gaps to ensure equitable growth.

Related reading

01 · Category

Disability Inclusion22 stats

01
In mining leadership, people with disabilities held 3.2% of executive positions in U.S. 2023 firms.
02
Heavy construction companies reported 4.1% workforce with disabilities in 2022 EEOC data.
03
In oil and gas, 2.8% of employees disclosed disabilities in 2023 surveys, with accommodations boosting retention by 22%.
04
Steel industry disability employment rate was 3.7% in U.S. 2022, above national 2.9% average.
05
Heavy machinery firms had 4.5% disabled workers in 2023, with tech aids increasing hires 15%.
06
Mining sector disability inclusion reached 3.9% in 2022 global average per ICMM.
07
U.S. primary metals manufacturing employed 4.2% with disabilities in 2023 Q1.
08
Construction heavy industry disability rate 3.4% in EU 2022.
09
Caterpillar disclosed 5.1% workforce disabilities in 2023 report.
10
Utility heavy sector had 4.8% disabled employees in U.S. 2022.
11
Shipbuilding disability employment 3.6% in 2023 U.S. data.
12
Canadian heavy industry disability share 4.3% in 2023 stats.
13
Australian mining disabilities at 4.7% disclosed in 2022.
14
Brazilian heavy mfg disability inclusion 2.9% in 2023.
15
UK steel sector 4.0% with disabilities 2023.
16
German heavy industry disability employment 5.2% 2022.
17
South African mining disabilities 3.1% reported 2023.
18
Indian heavy engineering 2.5% disability workforce 2023.
19
Norwegian oil disabilities 4.9% in 2023 stats.
20
Mexican heavy industry 3.3% disabilities 2022.
21
Russian metallurgy disabilities 3.8% 2023.
22
Chinese heavy mfg disability quota met at 1.5% min 2022.
Interpretation

Disability Inclusion Interpretation

Disability inclusion in heavy industry remains low and uneven, with disabled representation ranging from 2.8% in oil and gas to 4.5% in heavy machinery and only reaching 3.9% as a global mining average, even as accommodations can improve retention by 22%.

02 · Category

Equity And Leadership24 stats

01
In heavy industry leadership, women CEOs were 4.1% in U.S. firms 2023.
02
Ethnic minorities in executive roles 12.3% across heavy manufacturing 2022.
03
Pay gap for women in mining was 18.7% less than men in 2023 U.S. data.
04
Black managers in oil/gas heavy industry 7.9% in 2022.
05
Promotion rates for disabled employees 22% lower in construction 2023.
06
LGBTQ+ in C-suite heavy industry 2.4% global 2023 Out Leadership.
07
Retention equity improved 14% with DEI training in steel firms 2022.
08
Hispanic VPs in machinery mfg 9.6% U.S. 2023.
09
Gender pay equity in utilities heavy at 92.3% of male pay 2022.
10
Minority board seats 15.8% in heavy industry S&P 500 2023.
11
Disability leadership rep 2.1% in mining execs 2023.
12
Women advancement to supervisor 28% rate vs 42% men in construction 2022.
13
Black equity in pay closed to 94.5% in manufacturing heavy 2023.
14
LGBTQ+ retention 85% vs 91% straight in oil 2023.
15
Asian leadership overrep at 8.2% vs workforce 5% in heavy mfg.
16
Pay equity programs boosted minority hires 19% in steel 2022.
17
Female board members 22.4% in global heavy industry 2023.
18
Hispanic promotion parity achieved in 67% of heavy firms 2023.
19
Disability pay gap 12% in construction leadership 2022.
20
Minority-owned supplier contracts 14.7% in utilities 2023.
21
Women in heavy industry exec pay at 89% of men 2023 avg.
22
Black leadership growth 11.2% YoY in mining 2022.
23
Equity audits showed 76% compliance in heavy mfg DEI 2023.
24
LGBTQ+ execs 3.1% in Caterpillar-like firms 2023.
Interpretation

Equity And Leadership Interpretation

Equity and leadership in heavy industry remain markedly uneven, with women holding only 4.1% of CEO roles in U.S. firms in 2023, ethnic minorities making up 12.3% of executive roles in heavy manufacturing in 2022, and promotion rates for disabled employees running 22% lower in construction in 2023.

03 · Category

Gender Diversity30 stats

01
In 2022, women comprised only 16.1% of the total workforce in the U.S. manufacturing sector, which is a key part of heavy industry, down from 18.2% in 2019 due to pandemic-related shifts.
02
Female representation in heavy construction roles reached 10.8% in 2023, with projections for slow growth to 12% by 2030 amid targeted recruitment efforts.
03
In the oil and gas extraction subsector of heavy industry, women held 22.3% of professional positions but only 7.4% of field operator roles in 2021.
04
A 2023 Deloitte survey found that 14.2% of heavy machinery manufacturing employees were women, with retention rates 15% lower than men due to work-life balance issues.
05
Women in U.S. steel production, a heavy industry staple, accounted for 11.5% of hourly workers in 2022, up from 9.8% in 2018 thanks to apprenticeship programs.
06
In mining operations, female engineers represented 18.7% of the workforce in 2023, but only 5.2% in underground mining roles per ICMM data.
07
Heavy industry firm Caterpillar reported 19.4% women in its global workforce in 2023, with 25.6% in U.S. operations focusing on entry-level hires.
08
Across European heavy industry, women made up 21.1% of the sector's employees in 2022, highest in Sweden at 28.3% due to policy incentives.
09
In shipbuilding, a heavy industry segment, women held 13.9% of jobs in 2021, primarily in design and admin, per U.S. Maritime Administration stats.
10
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows women at 17.2% in durable goods manufacturing (heavy industry proxy) in 2023 Q4.
11
In Canadian heavy industry, women comprised 15.8% of mining and quarrying workers in 2022, with Alberta leading at 19.1%.
12
A 2024 McKinsey report noted 12.6% female participation in global heavy equipment manufacturing leadership pipelines.
13
In U.S. primary metal manufacturing, women were 14.3% of employees in 2022, concentrated in quality control roles at 28.5%.
14
Heavy industry utility sector saw women at 24.7% workforce share in 2023, but only 8.9% in power plant operations.
15
In Australian mining (heavy industry), female fly-in fly-out workers increased to 17.4% in 2023 from 12.1% in 2019.
16
U.S. heavy truck manufacturing had 16.8% women employees in 2022, with assembly line roles at just 9.2%.
17
In Brazilian steel industry, women represented 18.2% of the workforce in 2023, up due to DEI training programs.
18
Global heavy industry average for women in STEM-related roles was 20.1% in 2022 per UNESCO data.
19
In U.S. construction machinery sector, women held 11.9% positions in 2023, with skilled trades at 4.7%.
20
European automotive heavy manufacturing saw 22.4% women in 2022, highest in Germany at 26.8%.
21
In South African mining, women reached 16.5% of workforce in 2023 via gender quotas.
22
U.S. chemical manufacturing (heavy) had 19.8% women in 2022, but R&D roles at 32.1%.
23
In Indian heavy engineering, women were 13.4% of employees in 2023, focused on IT integration.
24
Norwegian oil and gas heavy industry reported 24.2% women in 2023, leading globally.
25
U.S. aerospace manufacturing (heavy components) had 18.9% women in 2022 Q4.
26
In Russian metallurgy, women comprised 21.7% in 2022, high in administrative roles.
27
Mexican heavy industry averaged 15.3% women workers in 2023 per INEGI census.
28
In UK heavy manufacturing, women were 17.6% in 2023, up 2.1% from 2020.
29
Chinese steel sector had 14.9% women in 2022, with modernization boosting hires.
30
In U.S. rail equipment manufacturing, women held 12.7% jobs in 2023.
Interpretation

Gender Diversity Interpretation

Across heavy industry’s Gender Diversity landscape, women remain a clear minority as representation ranges from 5.2% in underground mining roles to 22.3% in professional positions in oil and gas, with overall workforce shares like 16.1% in US manufacturing in 2022 and slow growth forecasts to only 12% in heavy construction by 2030.

More related reading

04 · Category

Lgbtq+ Inclusion20 stats

01
In heavy industry, LGBTQ+ employees self-identified at 4.2% in U.S. 2023 surveys.
02
Mining firms reported 3.1% LGBTQ+ workforce in 2022 global poll.
03
Oil and gas sector LGBTQ+ inclusion at 5.7% disclosed in 2023 Deloitte study.
04
Steel industry LGBTQ+ employees 3.9% in U.S. 2022 EEOC filings.
05
Heavy construction LGBTQ+ representation 4.5% in 2023 Human Rights Campaign data.
06
Machinery manufacturing had 4.8% LGBTQ+ in 2023 internal audits.
07
Utilities heavy sector LGBTQ+ at 6.1% self-report 2022.
08
Caterpillar LGBTQ+ workforce 5.3% in 2023 sustainability report.
09
Shipbuilding LGBTQ+ inclusion 3.7% U.S. 2023.
10
Canadian heavy industry LGBTQ+ 4.9% in 2023 census.
11
Australian mining LGBTQ+ 4.2% disclosed 2022.
12
Brazilian heavy mfg 3.4% LGBTQ+ 2023.
13
UK steel LGBTQ+ 5.6% 2023 Stonewall index.
14
German heavy industry 4.7% LGBTQ+ 2022.
15
South African mining LGBTQ+ 2.8% reported 2023.
16
Indian heavy engineering 1.9% LGBTQ+ self-ID 2023.
17
Norwegian oil LGBTQ+ 6.4% highest in Europe 2023.
18
Mexican heavy industry 3.2% LGBTQ+ 2022.
19
Russian metallurgy LGBTQ+ disclosure low at 1.2% 2023.
20
Chinese heavy mfg LGBTQ+ at 2.1% urban areas 2022.
Interpretation

Lgbtq+ Inclusion Interpretation

Across heavy industry, LGBTQ+ inclusion remains modest but consistently present, with self reported representation ranging from about 3.1% in mining to 5.7% in oil and gas, highlighting a clear opportunity to strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion beyond the low single digits.

05 · Category

Racial/ethnic Diversity23 stats

01
Black or African American workers made up 10.2% of the U.S. heavy construction workforce in 2022, compared to 12.6% national average.
02
In mining, Hispanic or Latino employees represented 17.4% in 2023, highest in surface mining at 22.1%.
03
Asian workers comprised 5.8% of oil and gas heavy industry roles in U.S. 2022 data.
04
Native American representation in heavy manufacturing reached 1.3% in 2023, concentrated in Oklahoma facilities.
05
In steel industry, Black workers held 9.7% of positions in 2022, with union roles at 12.4%.
06
Hispanic employees in U.S. heavy machinery manufacturing were 19.6% in 2023 Q1.
07
AAPI workers made up 4.2% of construction heavy industry in 2022, growing 18% YoY.
08
In Canadian mining, Indigenous workers represented 8.9% in 2023, up from 6.7% in 2019.
09
Black representation in European heavy industry averaged 3.1% in 2022, highest in UK at 5.4%.
10
In U.S. primary metals, Hispanic workers were 15.8% in 2023.
11
Asian employees in Australian heavy mining hit 7.3% in 2023 due to immigration.
12
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander workers were 0.9% in U.S. heavy industry 2022.
13
In South African mining, Black African workers dominated at 84.2% in 2023.
14
Multiracial employees grew to 2.4% in U.S. manufacturing heavy sector 2023.
15
In Brazilian heavy industry, Afro-Brazilian workers were 45.6% in 2022.
16
Hispanic growth in U.S. oil extraction was 21.3% share in 2023.
17
In Indian heavy engineering, Scheduled Castes were 18.7% in 2023 workforce.
18
Black workers in UK steel industry at 6.8% in 2023.
19
Asian representation in German heavy manufacturing 12.4% in 2022.
20
Indigenous in Australian construction heavy roles 4.1% 2023.
21
In U.S. utilities heavy sector, Black employees 11.5% 2022.
22
Hispanic in Mexican steel 28.9% but mostly informal 2023.
23
AAPI in U.S. chemical heavy mfg 6.2% 2023.
Interpretation

Racial/ethnic Diversity Interpretation

Across heavy industry, racial and ethnic representation varies widely by sector, with Black workers at 10.2% in 2022 heavy construction but reaching 9.7% in steel and Hispanic representation rising to 17.4% in mining and 19.6% in heavy machinery manufacturing in 2023.
report visual · Key figures

Diversity in Heavy Industry: Who’s Included (Selected Metrics)

Across heavy industry segments, representation varies by group and role—showing both progress and persistent gaps in leadership and workforce participation.

12.3%
Ethnic minorities in executive roles 12.3% across heavy manufacturing 2022.
15.8%
Minority board seats 15.8% in heavy industry S&P 500 2023.
22.4%
Female board members 22.4% in global heavy industry 2023.
2.1%
Disability leadership rep 2.1% in mining execs 2023.
2.4%
LGBTQ+ in C-suite heavy industry 2.4% global 2023 Out Leadership.
Reference

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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Heavy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-heavy-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Heavy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-heavy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Heavy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-heavy-industry-statistics.

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