Newly released CPB data shows that the total number of employees at public media stations has risen to its highest level since 2021 and that representation of people of color in the system has continued to grow.
As of January, 18,928 employees worked for stations that receive Community Service Grants, up from 18,077 in January 2022 and 18,130 in January 2021. That still trails the recent peak of 19,226 staffers in January 2020, a couple of months before the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S.
According to the new data, percentages of Hispanic, African American, Asian and Pacific Islander staffers and employees of two or more races increased at stations. Total minority staffing grew 2.5% from 2022. The largest increase was among Hispanics, at 1.3%.
As of January, about 10.5% of the workforce was Black, 9.1% Hispanic, 5% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 2.3% of two or more races. The percentage of Native American staffers decreased by 0.3% to reach 1.3%. The percentage of white employees, now at 71.8%, is at its lowest since 2011, the earliest year included in the data.
Percentage of CSG-qualified station employees by race, 2022–23
| Race | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 4.5% | 5.0% |
| Black | 10.1% | 10.5% |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 9.1% |
| Native American | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Two or more races | 1.8% | 2.3% |
| White | 74.3% | 71.8% |
Around 12% of leadership roles were held by African Americans, an increase of 1% year over year. Asian representation in leadership roles grew to 4%. Meanwhile, the percentage of leadership titles held by Hispanics remained stagnant at 7%, and the percentage of Native American leaders also remained flat at 2%.
The overall gender split remained stable, with women making up 51% of staff in both January 2022 and 2023. There were no significant changes in the kinds of jobs men and women held in leadership, managerial and technician categories.