AeA News Release

Washington, DC Metro Area Adds 46,400 Tech Jobs Since 1993
Washington, DC Ranks 1^st Nationwide in Software Services with 70,400 Jobs

Washington, DC, December 5, 2000—The Washington, DC metropolitan area added a remarkable 46,400 technology jobs between 1993 and 1998, the third largest increase, according to Cybercities: A City-by-City Overview of the High-Technology Industry, a new analytical report released today by AeA (the American Electronics Association) and The Nasdaq Stock Market. The study found that the Washington, DC metro area had 177,700 technology workers in 1998, the fourth ranked cybercity nationwide.

The residents in the DC metro area are also tech savvy based on computer and Internet use. In home use of computers the region stood at 66 percent and 54 percent for Internet access as of August 2000, ranked fifth and seventh, respectively.

Cybercities provides a snapshot of the high-tech industry in 60 metropolitan areas using data on employment, wages, establishments, and payroll. The report also identifies characteristics that can enhance the growth of cybercities, like a strong venture capital market, research intensive universities, a clustering of technology companies, and the elusive concept of quality of life. However, there does not seem to be a standard formula of qualities that a cybercity must possess to be successful; indeed, each has its own unique strengths and qualities.

Cybercities is the newest addition to AeA's analytical series of cyber reports, which includes Cybernation 2.0, Cyberstates 4.0, and CyberEducation. AeA members can purchase the Cybercities report for $95; non-members for $190. Call AeA at 800-284-4232 or 408-987-4200.

Advancing the business of technology, AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade association. Founded in 1943, AeA has more than 3,500 member companies that span the high-technology spectrum, from software, semiconductors 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. For 57 years, AeA has been the accepted voice of the U.S. technology community.

• 177,729 high-tech workers (4^th ranked cybercity), adding 46,400 jobs between 1993 and 1998, the 3^rd largest increase
• High-tech firms employ nearly one out of every 10 private sector workers in Washington, DC (13^th ranked)
• An average high-tech wage of $70,000 (7^th ranked), or 81 percent more than the average private sector wage in Washington, DC
• A high-tech payroll of $12.4 billion, ranked 3^rd nationwide
• 7,282 high-tech establishments, ranked 2^nd nationwide

• 1^st in software services employment with 70,400 jobs
• 1^st in rental, maintenance, and other computer services employment with 28,200 jobs
• 2^nd in data processing and information services employment with 20,800 jobs
• 5^th in communications services employment with 39,600 jobs

Washington, DC's Cybercity Characteristics:

• $2.4 billion in venture capital investments in 1999, ranked 6^th nationwide
• $503 million in university R&D expenditures in 1997, ranked 8^th nationwide, led by the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and George Washington University
• 66 percent of households had a computer in August 2000, ranked 5^th nationwide
• 54 percent of households had Internet access in August 2000, ranked 7^th nationwide 

This page was last updated on 12/04/01.  
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