In all engineering and computer occupations, women’s median earnings are less than men’s in the same occupation. The tables below provide additional information regarding the gender earnings gap of several engineering, engineering technologists, and computer occupations. These insights can equip women with the knowledge to navigate the future job market.
Engineering Gender Earnings Gap
The gender earning gap size varies by discipline, with female mechanical engineers having the smallest earnings gap (96% of male median earnings) and petroleum engineers having the largest gender earnings gap (83% of male median earnings).
Engineering Gender Earnings Gap by Race/Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino and Black or African American women engineers earn less than their male and White counterparts. For instance, Black women earn about 93% of White women’s salaries and 92% of White men’s salaries. However, Asian women earn 114% of White women’s earnings and 112% of White men’s salaries.
Engineering Gender Earnings Gap by Highest Degree Earned
The gender earning gap size varies by highest degree earned, with women engineers earning less than men engineers across education levels. Bachelor’s female graduates have the smallest earnings gap (94% of male median earnings) and femlae engineers with a doctorate have the largest gender earnings gap (88% of male median earnings).
Engineering Technologists and Technicians Gender Earnings Gap
Women in electrical and electronic engineering technologist and technician occupations receive 84% of the median earnings of their male colleagues.
Computer Gender Earnings Gap
The gender earning gap size varies by discipline, with female software quality assurance analysts and testers having the smallest earnings gap (98% of male median earnings) and female database administrators and architects having the largest earnings gap (73% of male median earnings).
Engineering and Computer Gender Earnings Gap by State
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, women engineers’ average salary is between 77% and 111% of men’s average salary. Overall, women engineers in most states have average salaries that are between 80% and 89% of those of men engineers.
However, there are some regional differences. In most western states, including Oregon and Utah, women engineers are close to achieving gender parity in mean earnings or earning more than men engineers. In Nevada, for instance, while women represent only 10% of engineers, they earn, on average, $100,000, while men earn about $91,000. Still, in other western states, such as California and Washington, women earn between 80% and 89% of what men engineers do.
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SWE Efforts to Address the Pay Gap
- https://swe.org/public-policy/
- Capitol Hill Day
- SWE Studies on Gender Bias and Workplace Experiences
Resources
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- National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. (2023). National Survey of College Graduates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Employment Projections, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2023—2033, and worker characteristics, 2023 (Numbers in thousands).