EEOC Research Finds Improved Asian American Representation but Underrepresentation in Federal Leadership

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today released a report titled, “Asian Americans in the Federal Sector.” The report finds that in fiscal year 2020 Asian Americans were one of the largest growing populations in the United States. Asian American workers were employed in the federal sector at a rate that exceeded their representation in the civilian labor force (CLF).

This report summarizes federal workforce data for Asian Americans in FY 2020. The analysis compared equal employment opportunity (EEO) statistics to the overall federal workforce and the national CLF. The main findings include:

• Overall, Asian Americans accounted for 7.1% of the federal workforce, compared to 5.7% of the CLF.
• Asian American men accounted for 3.8% of the federal workforce in FY 2020, while Asian American women accounted for 3.2%.
• Asian Americans were relatively underrepresented among leadership roles compared to their representation in the federal workforce. Asian American men accounted for 3.3% of Federal leaders and Asian American women for 2.3%.
• Asian American men (3.1%) and women (2.5%) voluntarily separated—due to either retirement or resignation—from federal agencies at lower rates than their representation in the federal workforce.
• Asian American men (2.5%) and women (1.9%) involuntarily separated—due to either downsizing or removal from service—from federal service at lower rates than their representation in the federal sector.
• Asian Americans earned a median annual salary of $107,221—about 19% more than the governmentwide median of $90,097.
• Three percent of federal sector EEO complaints alleged Asian national origin as a basis.

This report continues a series of recently published profiles of Hispanic women and Latinas, American Indian and Alaska Native women, and African American women in the Federal sector The EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations will continue to profile other populations in future reports.

The EEOC prevents and remedies unlawful employment discrimination and advances equal opportunity for all. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.