Published Mar 24, 2023
Women, persons with disabilities, and people from racial and ethnic minority groups—Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, and American Indian or Alaska Native—are still underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce, says the most recent report from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).
Although fewer women than men work in STEM occupations, their share of the STEM workforce grew at a faster rate. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of women in the STEM workforce increased to 31%, from 9.4 million to 12.3 million. For men, 22.6 million were employed in STEM occupations in 2021, up 15% from the 19.7 million employed in 2011.
The Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023 report provides statistical information about these three groups, all of whom have historically been underrepresented in science and engineering.
The National Science Foundation, through the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), publishes a biennial report to assess the current standing of women, persons from racial or ethnic minority groups, and persons with disabilities in STEM employment and science and engineering education about other groups.
According to the report, in 2021, 34.9 million people worked in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations, up from 29.0 million in 2011. Today, nearly a quarter (24%) of the U.S. workforce is employed in STEM occupations.
In 2021, White workers—at 22.4 million—represented the largest race and ethnic group in the STEM workforce, followed by workers who were Hispanic (5.1 million), Asian (3.6 million), Black (3.0 million), and American Indian or Alaska Native (216,000). Hispanic STEM workers experienced the greatest numeric growth over this period—2.0 million—increasing from 3.1 million to 5.1 million.
Although the increase in STEM workers was mostly for those without disabilities, the number of STEM workers with at least one disability also increased, reaching about 1.0 million in 2021.
Of the 146.4 million people ages 18 to 74 in the workforce, 34.9 million (24%) were employed in STEM occupations in 2021. Among racial or ethnic groups, Asian workers had the highest share employed in STEM (39%), whereas the lowest share was among Black workers (18%).
Within the other racial and ethnic groups, 20% to 25% worked in STEM. Workers with one or more disabilities represent a small proportion (3%) of the workforce. Among workers with at least one disability, 21% worked in STEM occupations, slightly less than the 24% of nondisabled workers in STEM occupations.
In 2021, women made up half (51%) of the total population ages 18 to 74 years and about a third (35%) of those employed in a STEM occupation. Although 9% of the population had one or more disabilities then, 3% of those who worked in STEM occupations did.
When combined, Hispanics, Blacks, and American Indians or Alaska Natives—collectively referred to as underrepresented minorities—made up 31% of the total population and 24% of STEM workers in 2021.
Women and some racial and ethnic minority groups are also underrepresented in postsecondary science and engineering (S&E) education—which may indicate their future participation in the STEM workforce.
Women earned approximately half of the S&E degrees at the associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels in 2020, similar to their share of the population ages 18 to 34 years. This age group, referred to here as the college-age population, includes most students completing degrees at the associate through doctoral levels.
Compared with the proportion of women earning associate’s degrees, women accounted for lower shares of advanced S&E degree recipients, making 46% of S&E master’s degrees and 41% of S&E doctoral degrees in 2020.
