The American workplace has made substantial strides toward diversity — and while there’s still a lot of room for improvement, some minority employees are doing quite well in the compensation department, according to new research.
CareerBuilder surveyed more than 1,300 workers in what it labels “diverse segments” to gauge their work experience.
The results for six diverse segments — African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, women, workers with disabilities and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) workers — were compared to “non-diverse” workers, defined as Caucasian males who are not LGBT, and not disabled.
The results are interesting, to say the least.
Certain diverse segments ranked higher than non-diverse workers in compensation, reflecting a movement toward better equality in the workplace. LGBT workers were the most likely of all segments to earn six figures, while both Asian and LGBT workers were the most likely to earn $50,000 or more.
But the survey findings also point to continued inequalities between diverse and non-diverse segments in pay, career advancement and feelings of discrimination.
Women and Hispanic workers were twice as likely to hold an administrative or clerical entry-level job as non-diverse workers. African American workers were nearly twice as likely.
More than half of women, Hispanics and workers with disabilities reported earning less than $50,000 compared to three-in-ten non-diverse workers.
More details of the report, which can be accessed here:
Compensation
Less than $50,000: Among all segments, workers with disabilities were the most likely to report earning less than $50,000 — 58% — followed by women at 52% and Hispanics at 51%. Asian workers were the least likely to earn less than $50,000 (25%), followed by 32% of LGBT workers and 31% of non-diverse workers.
$50,000 and above: Three in five (62%) of Asian and LGBT workers reported making $50,000 or more, the highest of all diverse segments and two percentage points higher than non-diverse workers. Disabled workers were the least likely to report a salary of $50,000 or 43%.
$100,000 and above: In the six-figure category, LGBT workers led all segments at 18%, outpacing non-diverse workers by a single percentage point. Women were the least likely to report making more than $100,000 at 6%, with African Americans and Hispanic workers at 8%.
Career advancement
Higher salaries don’t necessarily involve weightier titles, the survey reveals. While Asian workers were the most likely to report salaries of $50,000 or more and were among the highest for earning six figures, they were the least likely to report holding a management position (11%).
Most Asian workers (69%) fall into the professional/technical category and were the most likely of all segments to work in technology-related positions.
Disabled workers also ranked high in the Professional/Technical category at 62%, and were the most likely of all segments to work in health-related positions and social assistance.
One in four (26%) of non-diverse workers reported holding management titles, the highest of all segments, followed by 22% of LGBT workers. In addition to Asian workers, women and African Americans reported the lowest tendency to hold management roles at 15% each.
Nearly half of Hispanic workers (49%) and two out of five women (40%) reported having an entry-level administrative/clerical position, the highest of all segments.
Workplace discrimination
When asked about their overall work experience, one in four African American workers (25%) reported feeling discriminated against in their current job, the highest of all segments.
They were followed by disabled workers (22%), Hispanic workers (21%), women (19%) and LGBT workers (18%). Asian workers (11%) were least likely to feel discriminated against and trended below non-diverse workers who came in at 14%.
Plans to change jobs
Workers are aware of the improving employment landscape and are making plans to find better earning and advancement opportunities. Nearly two in five diverse workers (38%) plan to look for new jobs as the economy improves.
Almost half of Asian workers (47%) plan to change jobs in a better economy, followed by African American workers (43%) and disabled workers (42%).
Despite ranking lower in pay and title, women (31%) and Hispanic workers (35%) are the least likely of diverse workers to pursue new positions.
