The PEW Research Center recently released findings about the STEM workforce and statistics about education and training for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
Here are the key findings of their research:
- STEM workers typically earn more than those in other jobs. In 2019, median earnings for full-time, year-round workers ages 25 and older in a STEM job were about $77,400. The comparable median for workers in other, non-STEM occupations was $46,900.
- Women earn a large share of degrees in health-related and life science fields, but far fewer in other STEM areas. Women made up a large majority of bachelor’s degree recipients in health-related fields (85%) and a 61% majority of college graduates in the life sciences as of 2018.
- Women have made significant gains in life science and physical science jobs, but other areas have seen few increases. Women now comprise 48% of all workers in the life sciences, up from 34% in 1990.
- The share of women is uneven across STEM job types. Women make up half of the STEM workforce, but the share of women varies widely across STEM job clusters.
- Black and Hispanic graduates are underrepresented among degree recipients in STEM fields compared with their share of all degrees. As with patterns in the STEM workforce, the share of Black and Hispanic students earning STEM degrees is generally lower than their share of all degree recipients.
- Black and Hispanic workers are underrepresented in STEM jobs relative to their shares in the U.S. workforce as a whole. Black workers make up 9% of the STEM workforce — and just 5% of those in engineering and architecture and 6% each in life and physical science jobs.
You can read the full study here.
While we’ve made strides in some areas, creating a diverse and equitable education and workforce will take work. We’re proud to begin that work as early as Pre-K with STEM solutions made with practical, hands-on and diverse examples for students of all ages.
