GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Utility Industry Statistics

Utility industry boosts diversity initiatives, improving performance and workplace inclusion.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

65% of utility employees feel inclusion is vital to their job satisfaction

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Only 15% of leadership roles in utilities are held by women

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Less than 10% of utility board members are from minority groups

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Only 12% of utility leadership teams are women of color

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30% of utility industry leadership positions are held by individuals under 40, showing efforts in youth inclusion

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Investment in DEI initiatives in utilities reached approximately $200 million in 2023

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Minority-owned businesses awarded utility contracts constitute around 10% of total procurement

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15% of utility contractors are from minority groups, contributing to supplier diversity efforts

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Women make up approximately 22% of the utility industry workforce

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Minority representation in the utility industry stands at around 30%

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Ethnic minorities account for nearly 40% of new hires in the utility sector

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25% of utility employees report experiencing workplace discrimination

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The percentage of utility executives with diversity & inclusion responsibility is approximately 33%

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70% of utility companies have implemented D&I training programs

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Utility industry spending on D&I initiatives increased by 50% between 2019 and 2022

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Companies with strong diversity practices see a 19% higher innovation revenue

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45% of utility sector employees believe diversity improves company performance

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Women in the utility industry earn on average 12% less than their male counterparts

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60% of utilities have set measurable goals for diversity and inclusion

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Ethnic minority employees report a 22% higher job satisfaction when working in inclusive environments

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Utility industry hires from minority groups increased by 18% in 2022

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35% of utility companies have targeted mentorship programs for underrepresented groups

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28% of utility jobs are considered entry-level positions, which are vital for promoting diversity

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Employee resource groups (ERGs) in utilities are used by 50% of companies to support DEI initiatives

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An estimated 80% of utility firms recognize that DEI contributes to better customer engagement

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44% of utility sector employees believe their companies lack sufficient diversity initiatives

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The unemployment rate for minority groups in utilities is 3.1%, slightly higher than the national average

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Recent surveys show 40% of utility companies are planning to increase their D&I budgets

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The retention rate for minority employees in utilities is approximately 78%, compared to 85% for majority employees

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Utility companies with higher D&I ratings are 32% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

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About 55% of utility companies report difficulty in recruiting minority candidates

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85% of utility firms recognize DEI as a strategic priority

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A new survey indicates 60% of utility companies are actively working to improve gender diversity

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22% of utility industry employees consider themselves part of an underserved community

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55% of utility companies have implemented anti-bias training programs

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Employees belonging to minority groups are 15% more likely to report experiences of microaggressions at work

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40% of utility industry job postings now emphasize inclusivity and diversity

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48% of utility companies have diversity dashboards to track DEI progress

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The average age of utility sector employees is 44, with efforts underway to younger inclusivity

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20% of utility companies have partnered with minority-serving organizations for talent pipeline development

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Women account for roughly 18% of utility engineering roles, indicating a gender gap

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Approximately 35% of utility executives believe DEI initiatives directly impact customer satisfaction

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65% of utility sector employees agree that leadership commitment is critical to successful DEI efforts

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Utility industry annual diversity conferences increased attendance by 40% from 2021 to 2023

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28% of utility consumer complaints relate to lack of diversity and inclusion, according to customer surveys

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Over 50% of utility companies have established formal DEI policies

Statistic 47

Minority women in utilities earn approximately 10% less than white women in the same roles

Statistic 48

The number of utility industry D&I initiatives increased by 75% over the last five years

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42% of utility executives consider DEI a key factor in risk management

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55% of utilities track the representation of minority groups in their workforce annually

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25% of utility firms have established affinity groups to promote minority and women advocacy

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The average utility industry employee has a tenure of 8 years, with efforts to improve diversity retention

Statistic 53

Around 12% of utility job advertisements now specify diversity as a hiring criterion

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 22% of the utility industry workforce
Minority representation in the utility industry stands at around 30%
Only 15% of leadership roles in utilities are held by women
Ethnic minorities account for nearly 40% of new hires in the utility sector
25% of utility employees report experiencing workplace discrimination
The percentage of utility executives with diversity & inclusion responsibility is approximately 33%
70% of utility companies have implemented D&I training programs
Utility industry spending on D&I initiatives increased by 50% between 2019 and 2022
Companies with strong diversity practices see a 19% higher innovation revenue
45% of utility sector employees believe diversity improves company performance
Less than 10% of utility board members are from minority groups
Women in the utility industry earn on average 12% less than their male counterparts
60% of utilities have set measurable goals for diversity and inclusion

Despite progress, the utility industry still grapples with significant diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges—ranging from underrepresentation of women and minorities in leadership to ongoing discrimination—yet growing investments and strategic initiatives signal a shift toward a more inclusive future.

Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture

65% of utility employees feel inclusion is vital to their job satisfaction

Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture Interpretation

With 65% of utility employees valuing inclusion as essential to their job satisfaction, it's clear that fostering diversity and equity isn't just good ethics—it's a smart strategy for powering up employee engagement and industry innovation.

Leadership Representation and Career Advancement

Only 15% of leadership roles in utilities are held by women
Less than 10% of utility board members are from minority groups
Only 12% of utility leadership teams are women of color
30% of utility industry leadership positions are held by individuals under 40, showing efforts in youth inclusion

Leadership Representation and Career Advancement Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while the utility industry is making strides to include younger professionals, it still has a long way to go in diversifying its leadership pipeline along gender and racial lines, underscoring the urgent need for deliberate equity initiatives to bridge the gap between progress and representation.

Organizational Strategies and Initiatives

Investment in DEI initiatives in utilities reached approximately $200 million in 2023

Organizational Strategies and Initiatives Interpretation

With a bold $200 million invested in DEI initiatives in 2023, the utility industry is ultimately powering more than just energy—it's energizing the drive toward a more inclusive and equitable future, even if there's still miles to go.

Supplier Diversity and Industry Impact

Minority-owned businesses awarded utility contracts constitute around 10% of total procurement
15% of utility contractors are from minority groups, contributing to supplier diversity efforts

Supplier Diversity and Industry Impact Interpretation

While minority-owned businesses clinch only about 10% of utility contracts despite making up 15% of the workforce, these figures spotlight both progress and the persistent need to bridge the gap in supplier diversity within the utility industry.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

Women make up approximately 22% of the utility industry workforce
Minority representation in the utility industry stands at around 30%
Ethnic minorities account for nearly 40% of new hires in the utility sector
25% of utility employees report experiencing workplace discrimination
The percentage of utility executives with diversity & inclusion responsibility is approximately 33%
70% of utility companies have implemented D&I training programs
Utility industry spending on D&I initiatives increased by 50% between 2019 and 2022
Companies with strong diversity practices see a 19% higher innovation revenue
45% of utility sector employees believe diversity improves company performance
Women in the utility industry earn on average 12% less than their male counterparts
60% of utilities have set measurable goals for diversity and inclusion
Ethnic minority employees report a 22% higher job satisfaction when working in inclusive environments
Utility industry hires from minority groups increased by 18% in 2022
35% of utility companies have targeted mentorship programs for underrepresented groups
28% of utility jobs are considered entry-level positions, which are vital for promoting diversity
Employee resource groups (ERGs) in utilities are used by 50% of companies to support DEI initiatives
An estimated 80% of utility firms recognize that DEI contributes to better customer engagement
44% of utility sector employees believe their companies lack sufficient diversity initiatives
The unemployment rate for minority groups in utilities is 3.1%, slightly higher than the national average
Recent surveys show 40% of utility companies are planning to increase their D&I budgets
The retention rate for minority employees in utilities is approximately 78%, compared to 85% for majority employees
Utility companies with higher D&I ratings are 32% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
About 55% of utility companies report difficulty in recruiting minority candidates
85% of utility firms recognize DEI as a strategic priority
A new survey indicates 60% of utility companies are actively working to improve gender diversity
22% of utility industry employees consider themselves part of an underserved community
55% of utility companies have implemented anti-bias training programs
Employees belonging to minority groups are 15% more likely to report experiences of microaggressions at work
40% of utility industry job postings now emphasize inclusivity and diversity
48% of utility companies have diversity dashboards to track DEI progress
The average age of utility sector employees is 44, with efforts underway to younger inclusivity
20% of utility companies have partnered with minority-serving organizations for talent pipeline development
Women account for roughly 18% of utility engineering roles, indicating a gender gap
Approximately 35% of utility executives believe DEI initiatives directly impact customer satisfaction
65% of utility sector employees agree that leadership commitment is critical to successful DEI efforts
Utility industry annual diversity conferences increased attendance by 40% from 2021 to 2023
28% of utility consumer complaints relate to lack of diversity and inclusion, according to customer surveys
Over 50% of utility companies have established formal DEI policies
Minority women in utilities earn approximately 10% less than white women in the same roles
The number of utility industry D&I initiatives increased by 75% over the last five years
42% of utility executives consider DEI a key factor in risk management
55% of utilities track the representation of minority groups in their workforce annually
25% of utility firms have established affinity groups to promote minority and women advocacy
The average utility industry employee has a tenure of 8 years, with efforts to improve diversity retention
Around 12% of utility job advertisements now specify diversity as a hiring criterion

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

Despite a 50% surge in D&I spending and nearly half of utility firms tracking progress, women and ethnic minorities still face pay gaps and microaggressions, highlighting that while the industry is making strides toward inclusivity—embracing social responsibility, innovation, and customer satisfaction—it remains a mission in progress where leadership commitment and genuine cultural change are vital to truly bridge the diversity gap.