“The future of the economy is in STEM. That’s where the jobs of tomorrow will be.”
- James Brown, Executive Director of the STEM Education Coalition in Washington D.C.
STEM workers study how the world works and provide solutions using their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that employment in STEM-related occupations is projected to grow by 10.8% between 2021 and 2031. Annual wages in STEM occupations are also expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
However, women are still significantly underrepresented in the science and engineering workforce. And inequalities in gender, race, ethnicity, and class impact their long-term participation in STEM. Women make up only 34% of the STEM workforce in the U.S., with the majority concentrated in social and life sciences. Latina, Black, and Indigenous women comprise less than 10% of the STEM workforce but their share of STEM degrees is increasing.
Although progress has been uneven due to the gender gap, the percentage of women in STEM careers has been steadily increasing over the last decade. Steps are being taken to improve women's representation in STEM, let’s take a look at the top 10 STEM careers with the highest percentage of women.
10. Chemical Technicians
Percent of Employed Women: 35.1%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Associate’s degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +4%
Chemical Technicians work with scientists to help analyze the properties of materials. They perform routine lab tasks including maintaining and troubleshooting equipment, preparing chemical solutions, and running chemical experiments.
9. Computer Systems Analysts
Percent of Employed Women: 38.7%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +9%
Computer Systems Analysts, also known as systems architects, research and design improvements to organizations' existing computer systems and procedures. To design computer systems, computer systems analysts employ a variety of techniques, including data modeling. They also conduct extensive tests and analyze information and trends to improve the efficiency of a system.
8. Database Administrators and Architects
Percent of Employed Women: 38.8%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: 9%
Database Administrators and Architects design, create and maintain databases to store and secure information, such as financial and customer shipping records. They also ensure authorized users can easily access databases to find the information they need.
7. Physical Scientists
Percent of Employed Women: 43%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +5% to 8% (except for hydrologists and geographers)
Physical Scientists study, observe, and analyze inanimate natural objects, including chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth science, and math. A few Physical Scientist careers are Geoscientists, Astronomers, and Environmental Scientists.
6. Web and Digital Interface Designers
Percent of Employed Women: 44.5%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +23%
Websites are created and maintained by Web and Digital Interface Designers. They also work on the technical aspect of a site, like the speed performance and capacity to handle the traffic. Additionally, they develop and test interface layout, functionality, and website usability for a seamless user experience.
5. Chemists and Materials Scientists
Percent of Employed Women: 46.3%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: 6%
Chemists and Materials Scientists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels to determine how they interact with one another. They apply their knowledge to create new and improved products and evaluate the quality of manufactured goods.
4. Medical Scientists
Percent of Employed Women: 46.5%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +17% (except for epidemiologists)
Medical Scientists form hypotheses and conduct research to answer health-related questions. They use clinical trials and other methods of investigation to study the causes and treatments for diseases and different medical conditions. They work with health organizations to establish programs aimed at better public health.
3. Statisticians
Percent of Employed Women: 48.2%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +31%
Statisticians analyze data and use statistical methods to solve problems. They collaborate with mathematicians to create surveys, questionnaires, experiments, and opinion polls to collect data. Statisticians also conduct tests to determine data validity and to look for possible errors.
2. Operations Research Analysts
Percent of Employed Women: 51.6%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Outlook, 2021-31: +23%
Operations Research Analysts create mathematical models to analyze data and assist management teams. Their duties include increasing efficiency, managing assets, analyzing business options, developing policies, and making sound business decisions.
1. Biological Scientists
Percent of employed Women: 57.9%
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Growth, 2021-31: +15% (for biochemists and biophysicists)
A Biological Scientist conducts in-depth investigations to examine substances and specimens to understand functionality, reproduction, and diseases. They use cutting-edge technologies and occasionally collaborate in teams to perform the examination. Findings from the study are available to the general public or any interested institutions.
Young women are frequently limited in their career path choices, particularly in STEM, because of cultural and gender norms. STEM subjects are sometimes perceived as too "masculine," undermining girls' confidence and willingness to participate in STEM courses but, in the end, these are all just artificial constructs limiting an individual’s potential.