The presence of a gender gap in the technology industry continues to be an issue of import to many organizations within the field. Encouraging female students to choose IT as a career path requires a concerted effort from both educational and business stakeholders. The benefits to the technology world are numerous, especially with businesses competing over a too-small candidate pool.
What follows is an overview of the current status of the gender gap in the IT world. Are things getting better, is still more work to do, or a mix of the two? Let’s take a closer look.
Areas Where the IT Gender Gap Is Improving
Some metrics reveal a gender gap that is closing. For example, a 2016 survey of health IT jobs noted women in that technology sector now earn an average annual salary of $86,988, compared to $88,173 for their male counterparts. This data shows that in one year there was a jump from female salaries being 82 percent of male salaries to the current 99 percent level.
It is obvious employers in health technology are beginning to value the contributions of their female workers more and more. But are women in technology simply undervaluing their own worth?
Women Undervaluing Their Own Tech Skills?
The same health tech sector survey reveals men feel they are worth an annual salary of $107,694, compared to women expressing a smaller self-worth – a salary of $104,072. Other studies of the STEM professions show a similar response from women. Getting females to feel strongly about their IT skills and overall worth remains a key factor in closing the gender gap.
Transforming workplace cultures plays another role in getting women to feel more comfortable working in IT. This includes the recruitment of more female tech candidates and paying them at the same salary level as their male counterparts. Additionally, offering talented women the opportunity to advance their careers into the executive suite will lead to better chances for females at all levels of the tech workforce.
There is still some work to do, however. Another study noted that while women make up near 45 percent of those entering the workforce, 37 percent reach the senior management level, and only 17 percent of C-Suite executives are females. Until those numbers improve, some form of a technology gender gap will continue to exist.
When you need additional insights from the IT world, talk to the experts at Venteon. As one of the leading technology staffing agencies in Michigan, we offer the great candidates – regardless of gender – able to contribute to your organization’s success. Connect with us soon!
