Wired Women: Navigating Tech's Uneven Terrain in 2025

This is your Women in Business podcast. Welcome back to Women in Business. Today, we’re diving into how women are navigating the whirlwind economic landscape of the tech industry in 2025—a space that’s as dynamic and challenging as it is full of opportunity. If you’re tuning in from a co-working spot in Silicon Valley, a remote office in Bangalore, or your own kitchen table in London, you know tech feels more universal than ever. Yet women still hold just about a quarter of tech roles across the US and Europe. According to CompTIA’s latest report, that’s 27 percent in the States—meaning there’s tremendous room for more of us to step forward. Let’s get right to what matters. First, leadership. In 2025, Nash Squared points out that only 14 percent of global tech leaders are women. However, this is a marked improvement over the 8 percent reported a decade ago, thanks largely to women like Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, and Whitney Wolfe Herd, CEO of Bumble, paving the way. Their rise isn’t just symbolic—it’s opening doors for women behind them. Yet, as one in two tech women worldwide consider leaving mid-career, the challenge doesn't end with entry; it’s about retention and support throughout professional journeys. Next, let’s talk about pay. Despite progress, the gender wage gap persists. StrongDM’s analysis reveals that, even now, companies offer men higher salaries for 62 percent of jobs in technology. Nevertheless, women working in computer science have narrowed the gap, earning 94 percent of what men do. The opportunity for economic empowerment here is real; median annual wages for US tech workers were over $100,000 last year, more than double the average across all sectors. Third, skill development and access to innovation. AI and emerging tech are reshaping the job market, and women who embrace digital upskilling are finding new ways to close the gap. Skillsoft’s Women in Tech report stresses that learning AI is critical—not just for career growth but for remaining competitive. Seventy-three percent of women using AI say they’re more productive, yet 60 percent are not yet tapping into AI at work. That’s a gap we can and must address. Intersectionality also needs explicit attention. Women of color—especially Black and Latina women—are disproportionately underrepresented, making up less than 2.5 percent of the tech workforce according to WomenTech Network. Discrimination, pay disparities, and workplace culture converge, demonstrating why policies around mentorship and support networks matter for all women, not just some. Finally, there’s culture—where the “bro” mentality endures but is slowly being challenged. Flexible work and inclusive policies are gaining traction, prompted by organizations like Women in Digital in Australia and advocacy from women globally. These efforts help shape environments where women are not just present but empowered to innovate, lead, and thrive. Thanks for tuning in and supporting stories that ma This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.