Summary
- • Only 14% of engineers in the US are women
- • Black engineers make up just 4% of the engineering workforce
- • Hispanic engineers represent 8% of the engineering workforce
- • Asian Americans comprise 17% of engineers in the US
- • LGBTQ+ individuals make up approximately 20% of STEM students but only 7% of the STEM workforce
- • Only 0.5% of engineers identify as transgender or non-binary
- • 19% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to women
- • Only 4.2% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to Black students
- • 11.4% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to Hispanic students
- • Women hold only 13% of leadership positions in engineering
- • Only 3% of engineering executives are Black
- • Hispanic individuals hold 4% of engineering executive positions
- • Women engineers earn 90 cents for every dollar earned by male engineers
- • Black engineers earn 88% of what white engineers earn
- • Hispanic engineers earn 92% of what white engineers earn
Engineering: Not Just a Mans World, But Maybe It Should Be – As we navigate the intricate web of diversity statistics in the field of engineering, one cant help but wonder if the term building bridges takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to gender, race, and orientation equality in a profession often thought to be bound by numbers and formulas. With only 14% of engineers in the US being women, 4% black engineers, and a mere 0.5% identifying as transgender or non-binary, it seems like the engineering landscape might need some serious renovations to truly reflect the rich tapestry of society it aspires to serve. Join us on a revealing journey through the stark, and often surprising, data points that paint a picture of a field in desperate need of a makeover.
Disability Representation
- Only 2% of the engineering workforce identifies as having a disability
- 16% of engineering students report having a disability
- Only 0.1% of engineering faculty identify as having a disability
- Only 0.8% of engineering PhDs are awarded to individuals with disabilities
Interpretation
These diversity statistics in engineering paint a stark picture of the lack of representation for individuals with disabilities in the field. It seems that as individuals progress through their academic and professional paths, the percentage of those identifying as having a disability dwindles at an alarming rate, akin to a disappearing act that speaks volumes about the systemic barriers and biases still prevalent in the engineering realm. It’s time for the industry to address these gaps and ensure that engineers of all abilities have equal opportunities to contribute their talents and perspectives to the innovation landscape.
Education
- 19% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to women
- Only 4.2% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to Black students
- 11.4% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to Hispanic students
- Only 3.2% of engineering faculty are Black
- Women make up only 17.4% of engineering faculty
- Only 1 in 4 girls consider a career in STEM fields
- Only 12% of engineers are first-generation college graduates
- Only 0.6% of engineering PhDs are awarded to Native American students
- Women earn only 23.9% of engineering master's degrees
- Only 11% of engineering internships are filled by underrepresented minorities
- Only 3.2% of engineering PhDs are awarded to Black students
- Only 0.4% of engineering faculty identify as Native American
- Only 4.5% of engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to first-generation immigrant students
Interpretation
When it comes to diversity in the field of engineering, the numbers speak volumes and unfortunately, they are not singing a harmonious tune. From the alarmingly low percentages of women and underrepresented minorities earning degrees, to the lack of diversity in engineering faculty, it's clear that the pipeline for diverse talent in STEM fields still has major leaks. To add insult to injury, the stats reveal a rather bleak reality for first-generation college students and Native American individuals pursuing engineering higher education. It's high time for the industry to not just talk the talk about diversity and inclusion but to walk the walk, ensuring that all voices are not only heard but also actively supported and encouraged in the world of engineering.
Gender Diversity
- Only 14% of engineers in the US are women
- Women represent only 24% of the computing workforce
- Women hold only 8% of patents in the engineering field
- Women make up only 13% of mechanical engineers
- Women make up only 15.7% of chemical engineers
- Women make up only 9.8% of aerospace engineers
Interpretation
Despite making up half of the population, women are significantly underrepresented in the field of engineering, facing barriers to entry and advancement. These statistics paint a stark picture of the gender gap that exists within the industry, reflecting missed opportunities for innovation and diverse perspectives. It's clear that we need to break down the societal norms and systemic biases that have led to such imbalances and work towards a more inclusive and equal future in engineering. After all, the world could use a lot more female engineers to help us build a better tomorrow.
Intersectionality
- Only 1.7% of electrical engineers are Black women
- Hispanic women represent only 2.3% of industrial engineers
- Asian American women make up 5.2% of software engineers
- Only 0.3% of engineering faculty are Native American women
- Black women hold only 0.7% of engineering leadership positions
- Hispanic women earn 83% of what white male engineers earn
- Only 2.1% of engineering PhDs are awarded to women from underrepresented minority groups
- LGBTQ+ women in engineering report 61% higher rates of workplace harassment than their heterosexual counterparts
- Only 0.2% of engineering patents are held by Black women
- Women with disabilities make up only 0.5% of the engineering workforce
- Only 1.3% of engineering startup founders are women of color
Interpretation
In the fascinating world of engineering, the numbers paint a stark picture of diversity—or rather, the lack thereof. From the strikingly low representation of Black women in leadership positions to the disheartening statistics of underrepresented minority groups earning less and facing more workplace harassment, it seems the engineering landscape is in dire need of a makeover. It's evident that the field not only requires innovation in technology but also in its culture and practices to truly embody the principles of inclusivity and equality. After all, it takes a diverse array of perspectives and talents to engineer a brighter future for us all.
LGBTQ+ Representation
- LGBTQ+ individuals make up approximately 20% of STEM students but only 7% of the STEM workforce
- Only 0.5% of engineers identify as transgender or non-binary
- LGBTQ+ engineers are 30% more likely to experience harassment in the workplace
Interpretation
The numbers speak volumes but the message is crystal clear – the engineering world still has some serious recalibrating to do in the realm of diversity and inclusion. While it seems that the STEM pipeline is successfully attracting LGBTQ+ individuals, the leak seems to occur when it comes to retaining and fostering their talent in the workforce. With only a mere 0.5% of engineers identifying as transgender or non-binary, it's evident that the road to a truly inclusive engineering landscape is still under construction. And let's not brush aside the alarming fact that LGBTQ+ engineers are 30% more likely to face harassment in the workplace, proving that even in fields driven by innovation and progress, outdated attitudes persist. It's time for the engineering community to not just embrace diversity as a buzzword but to truly embody it in every facet of their culture and practices.
Leadership
- Women hold only 13% of leadership positions in engineering
- Only 3% of engineering executives are Black
- Hispanic individuals hold 4% of engineering executive positions
- Only 7% of engineering startups are founded by women
- Only 3.5% of engineering managers are Black
- Women make up only 7.4% of aerospace engineering executives
- Only 1.2% of engineering firms are owned by Black individuals
- Hispanic-owned engineering firms account for 5.8% of all engineering firms
- Women-owned engineering firms make up 20.6% of all engineering firms
Interpretation
These statistics paint a stark picture of the lack of diversity in the engineering field, where the numbers seem to be stuck in a time warp from the last century. With women, Black individuals, and Hispanics severely underrepresented in leadership and executive positions, it's clear that the engineering industry still has a long way to go in terms of creating an inclusive and equitable environment. Perhaps it's time for the industry to not just talk the talk about diversity and inclusion, but to truly walk the walk by actively engaging and promoting underrepresented groups. Because in a world that thrives on innovation and progress, diversity isn't just a buzzword - it's a necessity for real change to happen.
Pay Equity
- Women engineers earn 90 cents for every dollar earned by male engineers
- Black engineers earn 88% of what white engineers earn
- Hispanic engineers earn 92% of what white engineers earn
Interpretation
In a world where diversity is celebrated in theory but often falls short in practice, the numbers don't lie. Women engineers are still fighting for that elusive 10 cents to finally bridge the gap with their male counterparts, while Black and Hispanic engineers are left grappling with discrepancies in their pay compared to their white colleagues. These statistics serve as a stark reminder that the engineering industry still has a long way to go in truly embracing diversity and ensuring equal opportunities for all its talented professionals. It's time to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk towards a more inclusive and equitable future in engineering.
Racial Diversity
- Black engineers make up just 4% of the engineering workforce
- Hispanic engineers represent 8% of the engineering workforce
- Asian Americans comprise 17% of engineers in the US
- Only 3.6% of aerospace engineers are Black
- Only 2.4% of environmental engineers are Hispanic
- Asian Americans represent 30% of software engineers
- Hispanic engineers are underrepresented in 74% of engineering occupations
- Only 2.8% of civil engineers are Black
- Asian Americans hold 25% of computer hardware engineering positions
Interpretation
These statistics on diversity in engineering paint a portrait of a field that is as multi-faceted as the projects the engineers work on. While the numbers may not initially surprise, they reveal a stark reality - that minority representation in engineering still has a long way to go. From the low percentages of Black aerospace and civil engineers to the underrepresentation of Hispanic engineers in various specializations, these figures highlight the need for greater inclusion and opportunity for all. Asian Americans, with their notable presence in software and computer hardware engineering, show what is possible when diversity is embraced. As we strive for innovation and progress, let's ensure that our engineering workforce reflects the richness and diversity of our society.
Retention
- 41% of women engineers leave the field after 10 years, compared to 17% of men
- 30% of underrepresented minority engineers leave their jobs within 3 years
- 30% of women who leave engineering cite workplace climate as the reason
- Women engineers are 45% more likely to leave the field within 5 years compared to men
- Women engineers are 1.5 times more likely to switch to other STEM fields than men
Interpretation
These statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges that women and underrepresented minorities face in the field of engineering. The leaky pipeline is real, with a significantly higher attrition rate among women and minorities compared to their male counterparts. The engineering field must address the systemic issues driving talented individuals away, particularly the toxic workplace climates that continue to persist. It's time to not just talk about diversity and inclusion but to actively create environments where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to drive innovation forward.