Latinas are Fighting for Pay Equity When DEI Is Under Attack
The numbers tell a story of triumph.
The headlines celebrate record-breaking increases in Latino participation in AI, engineering, and tech. The data shows a 59% surge in Hispanic representation in AI technical roles between 2018 and 2022, a 50% spike in Latino doctoral engineering enrollment, and a booming graduation rate of 88% among members of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). It all sounds promising.
But when you scratch beneath the surface, another, far grimmer reality emerges: Latinas in tech are still the lowest-paid demographic in the industry, and that so-called progress is a carefully curated illusion that masks systemic economic injustice.
Latinas are Earning Degrees at UInprecedented Rates.
We’re showing up in tech, AI, and engineering with the kind of grit and talent that should translate into financial security and leadership opportunities. Instead, we are consistently underpaid, under-promoted, and undervalued—all while being paraded as proof of “diversity success.” The tech industry’s favorite tactic is to point to the influx of Latinos in STEM as evidence of inclusion while conveniently ignoring the reality that Latinas still make just 52 cents for every dollar earned by a white man. Yes, you read that right. In an industry where salaries start in the six-figure range, that pay gap amounts to a million dollars in lost income over a lifetime.
The Pay Gap That Tech Refuses to Close
Latinas in tech are often advised to “just negotiate better” as if the issue lies in our lack of skills rather than the industry’s deeply ingrained bias. As a salary negotiation strategist and coach, I have seen firsthand how Latinas are not only lowballed from the start but also penalized for attempting to advocate for themselves. We are asked about our salary expectations, only to be offered tens of thousands of dollars less than our white male counterparts. We are praised for being “team players” but denied promotions because we “lack leadership qualities.” We are celebrated for “bringing diverse perspectives” but are rarely given seats at decision-making tables.
Companies love to flaunt their diversity hiring numbers, but how many of those Latinas are making it into senior leadership? How many are earning salaries that reflect their experience and expertise? How many are even being considered for raises and promotions? The answer is painfully clear: not nearly enough.
Retention Means Nothing Without Equity
Let’s talk about retention. Latinas enter the tech workforce with immense talent and ambition, yet many leave within a few years, burned out, disillusioned, and financially depleted. They are pushed out not because they lack ability but because they are tired of fighting an uphill battle for fair pay, career advancement, and respect. They are tired of watching white male colleagues with fewer qualifications get promoted while they remain stuck in the same roles, performing twice the work for half the pay. They are tired of being a statistic that companies use to pat themselves on the back while doing absolutely nothing to support them.
DEI Is Under Attack And Latinas Are Paying the Price
Under the current administration, tech giants are proudly and actively dismantling DEI initiatives. Companies that once touted diversity goals are now rolling them back under the guise of “meritocracy.” Layoffs have disproportionately affected DEI-focused roles, and funding for inclusion programs has been slashed. The message is clear: diversity was only valued when it was convenient.
If tech companies were serious about equity, they would conduct pay audits and close pay gaps immediately. They would implement transparent salary bands and make promotion criteria clear and equitable. They would invest in leadership pipelines for Latinas, not just hire them for junior roles and call it a win. They would stop expecting us to be grateful for crumbs while they cash in on our labor, ideas, and talent.
Latinas Are Done Asking Nicely
We’re not here to be your diversity props. We’re not here to celebrate progress that isn’t real. We are here to demand economic justice. We will continue to take up space, negotiate fiercely, and call out inequities until tech companies are forced to back up their diversity rhetoric with real, measurable change. Until then, don’t tell us we’re making progress. Show us the money.
FAQs: Pay Equity and Latina Career Advancement
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Latinas earn about 52 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. In tech, this can equal over a million dollars lost over a career.
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Many companies are eliminating DEI roles to cut costs or avoid political backlash. It exposes how little value they placed on real inclusion.
Don’t Tell Us We’re Making Progress: Show Us the Money
We’re not here to be your DEI photo op.
We’re not here to clap for fake wins.
We’re here to disrupt.
We are tired of hearing “be patient” while others get promoted.
We are tired of being used as proof of progress when the numbers don’t lie.
We are tired of asking nicely.
It’s time for companies to put their equity claims where their payroll is.
Until then, we’ll keep building our own tables, naming the gap, and demanding more.