In Utah, STEM occupations are expected to grow 31.7% between 2022–2032, three times higher than the national projections. Unfortunately, without changes, women will be left out of much of this job growth, as Utah lags behind the U.S. in women’s involvement in STEM fields.
The Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) recently published a research snapshot, “Women and STEM—A 2025 Update,” that revisits and builds upon the findings of a similar 2022 report. The recent report offers an expanded snapshot of how STEM is shaping the lives of women, girls, and families in Utah. This update explores key developments in education, employment, barriers, and emerging opportunities within the STEM landscape.
The following includes information from the report to help Utahns understand the current state of STEM in Utah and how it is impacting women, girls, and families.
The State of STEM in Utah: STEM fields have long been a cornerstone of Utah’s economy, yet women’s participation has only recently gained greater visibility. According to WalletHub, Salt Lake City ranks among the top 15 U.S. cities for professional opportunities in STEM, yet it still trails in STEM-friendliness. It was ranked 35th, an improvement from 46th in 2022, yet it still lags among its peers. This ranking partially reflects the gender gap in STEM occupations and degree fields. On a positive note, the presence of women in Utah’s STEM workforce is on the rise. Women now hold 23.9% of STEM jobs in the state, up three percent from 2019.
Employment and Education: Attrition rates and degree completion rates in college STEM programs continue to reveal a significant gender gap. In Utah, 42.1% of men ages 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher, earned their degree in science and engineering, compared to 24.1% of women. One contributing factor is a shared disinterest in STEM fields among Gen Z men and women; however, a much larger percentage of women (57%) than men (38%) report avoiding STEM careers because they don’t believe they would excel in them. This suggests that self-confidence plays a crucial role in the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields.
Research shows that stereotypes influence girls’ interest in STEM from a young age. At age five, boys and girls view themselves as equally smart, but by age six, both are more likely to believe that boys are smarter. This early shift in perception can impact girls’ confidence in math and science, making it critical to address these stereotypes in elementary school to help girls stay engaged in STEM.
Barriers to Women in STEM: Women continue to face significant barriers to both entering and remaining in STEM fields, including gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and having their contributions overlooked or credited to others. These challenges are even more pronounced for women of color. African American and Latina women in STEM frequently report being mistaken for custodial or administrative staff instead of being recognized as scientists or engineers. In fact, 45.3% of Utah respondents disagreed or were neutral when asked whether STEM fields welcome women and girls, while only 11.7% strongly agreed.
Efforts to Increase Participation: Utah has seen a positive shift in support for women in STEM through legislative action and community programs. Efforts like SJR007 signal growing recognition at the policy level, while initiatives such as SheTech, the Utah STEM Action Center, and the A Bolder Way Forward initiative provide meaningful opportunities for girls and women.
Susan R. Madsen, UWLP director and Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and an author of the report, said Utahns can actively promote the presence and success of women in STEM fields.
“This includes fostering inclusive, discrimination-free workplaces, supporting women in STEM leadership roles, amplifying media representation of women in STEM, and encouraging STEM education at every stage, from early childhood through higher education,” she said. “Consistent messaging and action will help girls and women have more positive experiences with STEM, contributing to the feeling of belonging in these fields.”
Robyn C. Blackburn, a Utah Women & Leadership Project research fellow, co-authored the report.
The A Bolder Way Forward initiative includes an area of focus to help bring more education about the importance of women in STEM and provides resources. For more information, visit the UWLP website at utwomen.org. The UWLP is also affiliated with USU Extension.