High-Tech Workforce Shrinks by 560,000 Jobs Over Two Years

Washington, DC-March 19, 2003 - A study released today by AeA shows a decline of 560,000 high-tech jobs in the United States over the two-year period from January 2001 to December 2002. The study is based on monthly employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade association, representing more than 3,000 member companies.

The nation's high-technology industry reduced its workforce by 560,000 with tech employment dropping from 5.7 million jobs in January 2001 to 5.1 million jobs in December 2002.

"The data would strongly suggest that there is a need for economic stimulus including the President's package and specific proposals backed by the high-tech industry, such as the Homeland Investment Act, and others," said AeA's President and CEO, William T. Archey.

High-tech manufacturing employment shrank by 415,000 jobs, a 20 percent drop, between January 2001 and December 2002. The nation's communications services industry saw a nine percent decline in its employment base with a loss of 135,000 jobs during the same period.

The report also revealed that food products and transportation equipment manufacturing now employ more workers than the high-tech manufacturing industry, which had been the largest manufacturing sector in the United States.

"On the positive side, software services actually increased by 5,300 jobs," Archey added. "This is consistent with the fact that many of the innovations in the high-tech industry are driven by software."

AeA's Tech Employment Update tracks monthly high-tech employment industry data from January 2001 to December 2002. Download this report from AeANET. The report is available to AeA members for $10 and to non-members for $20. Or, contact AeA customer service at 800.284.4232 to obtain a PDF copy of the report.  

  Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Advancing the business of technology, AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade association. AeA represents more than 3,000 companies with 1.8 million employees. These 3000+ companies span the high-technology spectrum, from software, semiconductors, medical devices and computers to Internet technology, advanced electronics and telecommunications systems and services. With 17 regional U.S. councils and offices in Brussels and Beijing, AeA offers a unique global policy grassroots capability and a wide portfolio of valuable business services and products for the high-tech industry. AeA has been the accepted voice of the U.S. technology community since 1943.

This page was last updated on 03/19/03.