Women in tech earn 17% less than men: Insights from TeamLease Digital Report

Women in Tech: Key Trends and Opportunities for FY 2024-25

The tech industry is grappling with a substantial demand-supply imbalance, especially in key areas such as software development, data science, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Although more women are joining the tech sector, the swift pace of technological advancement is surpassing the supply of qualified professionals, creating a significant gap that challenges the industry’s growth and innovation.

According to the latest Digital Skills Salary Primer FY 25 report by TeamLease Digital, while women have made notable strides in tech education and workforce participation, their representation at senior levels remains lower than their male counterparts. However, senior female tech professionals are often more proactive in upskilling and staying updated with the latest technologies compared to their male peers.

In India, there are currently 2.05 million women working in tech roles. Of these, only 0.10 million are employed outside the tech sector. Women in Global Capability Centers (GCCs) number approximately 482,000, with their share expected to rise from 25 percent to 35 percent by 2027.

For FY 2024-25, the gender pay gap in the Indian tech industry is influenced by structural inequalities, disparities in role distribution, barriers to career advancement, and negotiation gaps. This gap varies across different roles, with technical and leadership positions showing more pronounced disparities. At higher levels, the pay gap can widen due to fewer mentorship opportunities and limited promotion prospects. The gender pay gap generally ranges between 10 percent and 17 percent, with discrepancies peaking at lower experience levels and decreasing with more experience. For some high-demand tech roles, the gap can be as high as 22-30 percent.

High-Demand Tech Roles for Women:

As technology advances rapidly, specific roles are becoming crucial and highly sought-after. Women are leading the charge in these high-demand areas, from data science and cybersecurity to cloud computing and AI. Here’s a snapshot of the top tech roles for women and the key skills that are driving their success in the industry.

1. Data Science and Analytics:

*Data Scientist: Responsible for analyzing and interpreting complex data sets to help organizations make data-driven decisions. Data Scientists use statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to extract insights and create predictive models.
*Data Analyst: Focuses on collecting, processing, and performing statistical analyses on data. They generate reports and visualizations to support business decisions and identify trends or patterns in data.
*Machine Learning Engineer: Specializes in designing, building, and deploying machine learning models and systems. They work on developing algorithms that allow systems to learn and make predictions based on data.

2. Cybersecurity:

*Security Analyst: Monitors and protects an organization’s IT infrastructure from cyber threats. They analyze security breaches, conduct vulnerability assessments, and implement protective measures to safeguard data and systems.
*Security Engineer: Focuses on designing and implementing secure network solutions. They work on creating and maintaining security architecture, conducting penetration tests, and ensuring compliance with security policies.
*Ethical Hacker: Uses their skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications to find weaknesses before malicious hackers can. They perform penetration testing and provide recommendations for improving security.

3. Cloud Computing:

*Cloud Architect: Designs and manages cloud infrastructure and services. They create cloud strategies, oversee cloud migration projects, and ensure the efficient deployment of cloud resources to meet organizational needs.
*Cloud Engineer: Implements and maintains cloud services and applications. They work on configuring cloud platforms, managing cloud-based resources, and ensuring system performance and reliability.
*DevOps Engineer: Combines development and operations skills to streamline and automate the software development lifecycle. They focus on continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure automation to improve deployment efficiency.

4. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning:

*AI Research Scientist: Conducts research to advance the field of artificial intelligence. They develop new algorithms and models, explore innovative approaches to AI, and contribute to academic and practical advancements in the field.
*Machine Learning Engineer: Designs and deploys machine learning systems. They work on building and optimizing algorithms to solve complex problems and create models that can learn from and make decisions based on data.
*NLP Specialist: Focuses on natural language processing to enable machines to understand and interact with human language. They work on applications like speech recognition, text analysis, and language translation.

5. UX/UI Design:

*UX Designer: Enhances user satisfaction by improving the usability, accessibility, and interaction of digital products. They conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and design intuitive interfaces that meet user needs.
*UI Designer: Focuses on the visual aspects of user interfaces. They design layouts, color schemes, and interactive elements to ensure that the user experience is visually appealing and functional.
*Interaction Designer: Specializes in designing interactive elements of user interfaces. They focus on how users interact with products, creating engaging and efficient user flows and ensuring a seamless experience.

6. Project Management:

*Project Manager: Oversees the planning, execution, and completion of projects. They manage timelines, budgets, resources, and stakeholder communications to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within scope.
*Scrum Master: Facilitates agile project management practices within teams. They help teams adopt Scrum methodologies, remove obstacles, and ensure that Scrum processes are followed effectively.
*Agile Coach: Guides organizations in adopting and implementing agile practices. They provide training, support, and coaching to teams to improve their agile processes and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

7. Product Management:

*Product Manager: Responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and execution of a product throughout its lifecycle. They work cross-functionally with engineering, marketing, and sales teams to ensure the product meets market needs and business goals.*Product Owner: Focuses on defining product features and priorities. They act as the liaison between stakeholders and development teams, ensuring that the product vision is clearly communicated and that features align with user needs and business objectives.

Popular Tech Courses Among Women (Image: Canva)

Popular Tech Courses Among Women:

As women continue to make significant strides in the tech industry, certain courses are gaining popularity for their relevance and impact. Here’s a look at some of the most sought-after tech courses among women:

1. Web Development: Learn to create and maintain websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, essential for building functional web applications.

2. Advanced Excel: Master complex functions, pivot tables, and data visualization to excel in data analysis and reporting roles.

3. Python: This versatile language is key for web development, data analysis, and AI, making it a popular choice for tech newcomers.

4. Data Science: Gain skills in statistical analysis, data visualization, and machine learning to analyze complex datasets and derive insights.

5. Artificial Intelligence: Explore machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics to develop innovative AI technologies.

6. Machine Learning: Focus on algorithms that enable systems to learn and improve from data, crucial for predictive modeling and intelligent systems.

7. UI/UX Design: Learn to create user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces, covering design principles, user research, and prototyping.

These insights highlight the growing opportunities for women in tech and underscore the importance of continuous learning and upskilling to bridge the industry’s demand-supply gap.