Latino Representation in STEM: 5 Surprising Stats

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and it’s important for us to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions in STEM.

While there is a small cohort of Hispanic pioneers making their mark in the field, there is also a glaring underrepresentation of Latinos in the workforce. As a result of COVID-19 and systemic injustice, Latinos are experiencing the widest gap in careers in STEM (McCormack, 2021).

5 Surprising Stats About Latino Representation in STEM

  1. Hispanic adults remain less likely than White, Asian, and Black adults to earn a college degree and are underrepresented among STEM degree recipients. In 2018, Hispanics earned 15% of all bachelor's degrees in the U.S., but only 12% of STEM degrees (Fry, Kennedy, & Funk, 2021). 

  2. Hispanic people make up 17% of the total workforce, but only 8% of workers in the STEM field (Fry, Kennedy, & Funk, 2021). 

  3. The average Hispanic STEM worker makes only 83% of the average white worker's salary (Fry, Kennedy, & Funk, 2021). 

  4. In a survey of 3,700 Hispanic adults, about 30% see scientific professions as “unwelcoming” to Latino people (Funk & Lopez, 2022). 

  5. In the same survey, 81% said young Hispanic people would be more likely to pursue STEM degrees if they saw more examples of high-achievers in the field who are Hispanic (Funk & Lopez, 2022). 

This last stat is where we come in. With the vast underrepresentation of Hispanic people in the STEM workforce, the key to improving diversity in science is to give young Hispanic people early exposure to Hispanic scientists, students, and teachers. By developing STEAM enrichment programs and opportunities in Hispanic communities, we can make careers in STEM more accessible for the next generation of young leaders. 

To continue our important work, we rely on the support and encouragement from our Mercy Works community. Please click the link below to learn how to support our mission to increase representation in STEM careers.

References:

Fry, R., Kennedy, B., & Funk, C. (2021, April 1). Stem Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Pew Research Center. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/


Funk, C., & Lopez, M. H. (2022, June 14). Hispanic Americans' Trust in and Engagement With Science. Pew Research Center. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/06/14/hispanic-americans-trust-in-and-engagement-with-science/?utm_source=AdaptiveMailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=22-06-14+Hispanic+Americans%27+Perspectives+on+Science+GEN+DISTRIBUTION&org=982&lvl=100&ite=10106&lea=2123287&ctr=0&par=1&trk=a0D3j000011HkseEAC

McCormack, J. (2021, August 26). The Latino Gap in STEM Jobs and How to Fix It. Salud America. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://salud-america.org/the-latino-gap-in-stem-jobs-and-how-to-fix-it/

 

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