STEM Boom: Women Enter Workforce at Accelerated Rate
STEM jobs have mostly been held by men, but a report from NCSES shows that more women are entering these fields, which means the gender gap in STEM is getting smaller.
The report comes out every two years and discusses the "STEM workforce," which includes people with a bachelor's degree. It's different from the "skilled technical workforce," which includes workers with a lot of technical knowledge but no bachelor's degree. It does not include a non-binary category.
Rapid Growth of Women in STEM Careers Outpaces Men
The most recent data shows women are taking on STEM positions at a faster rate than men. "Between 2011 and 2021, the number of women in the STEM workforce increased 31%, from 9.4 million to 12.3 million," says the NCSES. In 2021, men held 22.6 million STEM occupations, which was a 15% increase from the 19.7 million held in 2011.
Women's representation in STEM jobs has increased from 32% in 2011 to 35% in 2021, a 3% growth. In 1970, only 8% of women worked in STEM fields. Men are still over-represented in technical positions, though; they hold the remaining 65% of STEM positions.
That means men are still making most of the money in these industries. "Employment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has a positive impact on the pocketbook," says the NCSES. "STEM workers had median wage and salary earnings of about $64,000, higher than the $40,000 earned by those working in non-STEM occupations."
Gender and Racial Disparities in STEM Income
Women in STEM jobs earn less than men. Men make an average of $64,998 per year. In comparison, women make an average of $59,931 per year. The pay gap extends also beyond gender, with great disparities between races and disability status.
Asian STEM workers are earning the most ($91,914), followed by White ($65,959), Black or African American ($54,734), American Indian or Alaska Native ($49,518), and Hispanic or Latino ($45,480). Those with at least one disability also earn less than those with no disability, at $56,906 compared with $64,969.
Growth of Diversity in Technical Fields
As these technical fields grow—they're now employing 24% of the total US workforce, up from 21% in 2011—they are becoming more diverse.
"These data show increasing diversity within the STEM workforce over this 10-year period," the report says. "Collectively, underrepresented minorities—Hispanics, Blacks, and American Indians or Alaska Natives—represented nearly a quarter (24%) of the STEM workforce in 2021, up from 18% in 2011. Of these three groups, the share of Hispanics increased the most, from 11% in 2011 to 15% in 2021."
The Role of Education in Bridging Gender Gaps in Engineering
Women still earn about half of all science and engineering bachelor's degrees. This has been consistent for over a decade. However, there has been an increase in the number of engineering degrees awarded recently, according to the NCSES.
"Although women remain underrepresented in engineering degree awards, their share of engineering degrees earned increased at all levels between 2011 and 2020," NCSES says. "As of 2020, women earned approximately a quarter of engineering degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels."
International Women in Engineering Day on June 23 highlights gender gaps and honours women in the engineering field.
"As a female engineer, International Women in Engineering Day holds deep significance for me," Malini Nair, principal QA software engineer at Context Labs, tells PCMag via email. "It is a moment to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and inspire future generations to pursue their passions in this field. This day serves as a reminder that gender should never limit one's aspirations or opportunities."
Diversity in the engineering field holds great importance. By encouraging and supporting women in engineering, we not only create a more inclusive and equitable industry, but we also benefit from the unique perspectives and talents that women bring to the table.
International Women in Engineering Day is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in closing the gender gap in engineering jobs, while also recognising that there is still work to be done. By highlighting the achievements of women in engineering and showcasing their contributions to the field, we can inspire more young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM and continue breaking down barriers.
Find out what IGEM are doing to create a more equal, diverse and inclusive gas industry.
Sourced from: Women Are Getting Into STEM Careers at a Faster Rate Than Men, Report Finds (pcmag.com)
