Wiktor Wise
Electrical engineering is a male-dominated field, with women constituting only 10% of the workforce in the US as of 2025. This is a slight improvement from 2021, when women made up less than 10% of the electrical engineering workforce. While women make up 20% of engineering graduates, 40% discontinue their studies or never enter the profession. This is due in part to a hegemonic masculine culture in the field, as well as gender-based discrimination and bias. Despite these challenges, there is a push for diversity in electrical engineering, with companies and universities designing programs to attract a more diverse pool of candidates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of female electrical engineers in the US | 10% |
| Percentage of female engineers in the EU | 27% |
| Gender ratio of students interested in becoming electrical engineers | 5.20 men to 1 woman |
| Percentage of women in leadership roles in engineering and industrial manufacturing | 23% |
| Percentage of women in entry-level positions in engineering and industrial manufacturing | 33% |
| Percentage of women in other leadership roles in engineering and industrial manufacturing | 25% |
| Percentage of women who are managers in engineering and industrial manufacturing | 25% |
| Percentage of women who are senior managers in engineering and industrial manufacturing | 23% |
| Percentage of women who are vice presidents in engineering and industrial manufacturing | 21% |
| Percentage of girls aged 7 to 19 in the UK who consider engineering a suitable career | 42% |
| Percentage of boys aged 7 to 19 in the UK who consider engineering a suitable career | 61% |
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What You'll Learn
Women currently make up 10% of electrical engineers
Women currently make up only 10% of electrical engineers, with men constituting the remaining 90%. This gender disparity is not unique to electrical engineering, as engineering is the most male-dominated field in STEM. Women make up only 13% of the overall engineering workforce, with the smallest gains in gender diversity occurring in engineering since 1970. In the European Union, only about one-third of STEM graduates are women, and in the UK, only 42% of girls aged 7 to 19 consider engineering a suitable career for them. These statistics highlight the persistent underrepresentation of women in engineering fields.
Several factors contribute to the gender gap in electrical engineering. One factor is gender bias and stereotypes about scientific and mathematical abilities. Preconceptions about gender differences can influence girls' and women's perceptions of their capabilities and interests in STEM fields. This is evident in the lower percentage of girls who believe they can definitely become engineers compared to boys. Additionally, societal norms and biases may play a role in steering women away from pursuing electrical engineering as a career, despite their interest in it.
The masculine culture prevalent in the field of electrical engineering also contributes to the gender disparity. Many women who pursue engineering degrees discontinue their studies or never enter the profession due to this hegemonic masculine culture. Female engineers often face disproportionate bias, with their judgment being questioned and their contributions overlooked for advancement opportunities. This is reflected in the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within the engineering industry.
To address the gender imbalance, companies and universities are designing programs to attract a more diverse pool of electrical engineering candidates. For example, UC Riverside's Culture, Equity, and Inclusion (CEI) Committee is dedicated to making its electrical engineering community more inclusive. Stanford's electrical engineering department has a similar CEI committee. Additionally, organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) provide resources to support women in succeeding in engineering. These initiatives aim to break down systemic barriers and encourage more women to pursue and remain in electrical engineering careers.
While the demographic of electrical engineers remains largely homogeneous, the push for diversity is gaining momentum. The recognition of the value of diversity in engineering is driving change. Efforts to widen the recruitment net and create inclusive environments are underway, signalling a positive shift towards a more inclusive and representative electrical engineering landscape.
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The gender gap is narrower in biomedical engineering
Women are vastly underrepresented in electrical engineering, with less than 10% of the workforce being female. However, the gender gap is narrower in biomedical engineering, where women represent 46% of the field. This is a significant improvement compared to other engineering disciplines, but it is important to note that there is still a long way to go to achieve true gender parity.
Several factors contribute to the gender disparity in engineering fields, including discrimination, cultural reservations in academic and professional spaces, and preconceptions about the educational aptitude of men versus women. These preconceptions start at a young age, with only 24% of girls aged 7 to 19 in the UK considering engineering a suitable career for them, compared to 33% of boys. This disparity in interest is also evident in biomedical engineering, with only 36% of women expressing interest in the field compared to 64% of men. Despite this, the gender gap in biomedical engineering is narrower, which could be attributed to various initiatives and programs promoting diversity and inclusion in the field.
One notable initiative is Black Girls Code, founded by Kimberly Bryant, which provides resources for girls to learn programming, web design, app development, and robotics. Additionally, universities like UC Riverside and Stanford have Culture, Equity, and Inclusion (CEI) Committees dedicated to making their engineering communities more inclusive. These efforts aim to break down systemic barriers and encourage a more diverse pool of engineering students and professionals.
While the gender gap in engineering education and careers persists, there has been progress in closing the gender pay gap. In some fields, the gap has even reversed, with women earning more than their male counterparts in the same engineering disciplines. This is evident in biomedical engineering, where the wage gap is narrower, and women may even earn more than men in certain jobs. However, there is still a lack of wage data specific to biomedical engineers to draw comprehensive conclusions.
In conclusion, while the gender gap in biomedical engineering is narrower than in other engineering fields, it is important to address the underlying factors that contribute to the disparity. Initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering education and careers have helped make strides toward gender parity. However, continued efforts are necessary to ensure equal opportunities and representation for women in the field.
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Women in engineering face disproportionate bias
Women remain vastly underrepresented in the field of engineering, with the profession being one of the most male-dominated in the US. Women make up only 13% of the engineering workforce, and while women constitute 20% of engineering graduates, 40% of these women do not pursue a career in the field.
The reasons for this disparity are numerous, and women in engineering face a variety of challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is the "boys' club" atmosphere that persists in the industry. This term refers to the gender bias and social isolation experienced by women in predominantly male workplaces. Women in these environments often feel they have to adjust their behaviour and constantly prove themselves, with their judgment being more frequently questioned and their ideas receiving pushback. This can cause women to feel that their contributions are less valued than those of their male colleagues, leading to heightened competition and conflict among women.
Another issue is the pressure on women to exhibit "feminine" behaviour while avoiding behaviours traditionally associated with masculinity. This phenomenon is known as "tightrope bias". Women in engineering also reported feeling less able to behave assertively or show anger without facing criticism or pushback, and more pressure to let others take the lead. They also reported less access to desirable assignments and more pressure to perform administrative tasks or "office housework".
The underrepresentation of women in engineering is not just a social issue but also has economic implications. With engineering roles among the fastest-growing and highest-paid in the US, gender-based discrimination may discourage participation among women and exacerbate inequality. Diversity in engineering brings a range of perspectives and increases the likelihood of innovation, growth, and financial success.
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More men than women are interested in becoming electrical engineers
Electrical engineering remains a male-dominated field, with women vastly underrepresented. While the exact reasons for this disparity are hard to pinpoint, several factors likely contribute to this gender imbalance. One key factor is interest; surveys show that more men than women express an interest in pursuing careers in electrical engineering. This disparity in interest is reflected in the demographics of electrical engineering students and professionals.
In the United States, women make up only about 13% of the engineering workforce, and similar gender gaps exist in other countries. For example, in the European Union, only about one-third of STEM graduates are women, and there are over 3 million fewer women than men in architecture and engineering professions. The disparity is particularly pronounced in fields like electrical engineering, where women comprise less than 10% of the workforce.
Several initiatives are working to address this imbalance and encourage more women to pursue electrical engineering. For instance, the GE Foundation has a long track record of uplifting underrepresented communities, and organisations like the Society of Women Engineers provide resources and support for women in the field. University programs are also evolving to attract a more diverse range of candidates, and companies are increasingly recognising the value of diversity in innovation and financial success.
Despite these efforts, change has been slow, and electrical engineering remains largely homogeneous in its demographics. Various factors contribute to this stagnation, including societal norms and biases, preconceptions about gender differences in scientific and mathematical abilities, and gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Addressing these systemic barriers is crucial to creating a more inclusive and diverse electrical engineering community.
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Initiatives to encourage women in electrical engineering
Women are vastly underrepresented in electrical engineering, making up less than 10% of the workforce. While the number of women in STEM has grown from 8% to 27% since 1970, engineering has seen the smallest gains. In the European Union, only about one-third of STEM graduates are women, and in the US, women make up just 13% of the engineering workforce.
Companies and universities are also designing programs to attract a more diverse pool of candidates. For example, GE Foundation has a long history of uplifting underrepresented communities, and universities like UC Riverside and Stanford are committed to fostering inclusive environments through their CEI committees.
Empathic co-creation from primary education is another proposed initiative to encourage women in engineering. By involving women in the creation process and addressing the issue early on in education, this approach aims to reduce the gender gap in engineering. Additionally, increasing the representation of women in STEM on screen and in television can inspire more women to pursue careers in these fields.
Finally, addressing gender-based discrimination and bias in the workplace is crucial. Women in engineering face disproportionate bias, with their judgment being more likely to be questioned and fewer opportunities for advancement. Initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in leadership positions within the industry are essential to tackling these issues and creating a more inclusive environment for women in electrical engineering.
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Frequently asked questions
Around 10% of electrical engineers are women, though this number is increasing by 2-3% each year.
There are approximately 9,492+ women electrical engineers in the US.
Electrical engineering is the seventh most popular engineering degree for women worldwide. However, only 42% of girls aged 7 to 19 in the UK consider engineering to be a suitable career for them.
Engineering is the most male-dominated field in STEM. Women make up only 13% of the global engineering workforce. There are several reasons for this gender disparity, including preconceptions about gender differences in scientific and mathematical ability, and a hegemonic masculine culture in the field.
