EEOC Report Looks at Diversity in High-Tech Workforce and Sector

September 23, 2024

What's New

People of color are underrepresented in the high-tech workforce compared with their participation in the overall U.S. workforce, according to a report from the EEOC. High Tech, Low Inclusion: Diversity in the High Tech Workforce and Sector 2014-2022 concludes that people of color in high-tech jobs are better represented in the high-tech sector.

The high-tech workforce refers to workers in 56 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations regardless of industry. The high-tech sector refers to industries in which high-tech workers comprise at least 20% of the industry workforce but also includes workers in non-STEM occupations.

Black workers were just 7.4% of the high-tech workforce, even though they made up 11.6% of the total U.S. workforce, the report says. Hispanic workers were only 9.9% of the high-tech workforce, even though they made up 18.7% of the total U.S. workforce.

The high-tech sector, with 37.4% employees of color, was less racially diverse than both the total U.S. workforce (41.6% workers of color) and the high-tech workforce (40.1% workers of color).

What It Means

The report indicates that the high-tech workforce became more diverse between 2014 and 2022 but that Black and Hispanic workers remained underrepresented.

The report serves as a reminder that the EEOC is aware of the racial disparities between minority representation in the overall workforce and in the high-tech sector and workforce.

What You Should Do

Employers in the high-tech sector may wish to address discriminatory barriers in the high-tech workforce. CWC members could discuss best practices with other members in the Compliance Network.

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