Rolling Meadows, IL, June 26, 2002—Electronics exports from Wisconsin rose seven percent to $2.1 billion between 2000 and 2001. Wisconsin’s high-tech industry exports represented 20 percent of total exports from the state in 2001, according to Cyberstates 2002: A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, a new analytical report released today by AeA.

Cyberstates 2002 also shows Wisconsin saw 232 new high-technology companies established in 2001, although technology-related employment dropped by 100 jobs during the year.

Gains in the services sector mirror nationwide trends, and in Wisconsin, offset losses in manufacturing. Technology industry wages continue to rise, with the tech worker earning an average of $47,188.

Cyberstates 2002 also shows that venture capital investments in Wisconsin totaled $85 million, ranking the state 27^th nationwide.

Nationally, Cyberstates 2002 shows that high-tech industry employment grew slightly in 2001, reaching 5.6 million, compared to 5.5 million in 2000. This one percent increase illustrates the effect of the technology slowdown in 2001, compared to nine percent growth in 2000.

Cyberstates 2002 is the sixth edition of AeA’s Cyberstates reports. The study includes nine chapters detailing national and state trends in employment, wages, and exports. Venture capital investments, research and development (R&D) expenditures, and computer and Internet home use are also examined. The report includes state rankings for each indicator. Cyberstates 2002 is based on the most current U.S. government data available.

What Does High Tech Mean for Wisconsin?

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $47,200 (37^th ranked), or 56% more than the average private sector wage in 2000

• An increase of $136 million in high-tech exports between 2000 and 2001

• Venture capital investments declined by 48% between 2000 and 2001, dropping by $79 million

• Home Internet access totaled 50%, ranked 28^th nationwide

• 12^th in electronic components and accessories manufacturing with 10,300 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2002
Data are for 2001 unless otherwise noted.
2000 data are the most current for wages, payroll, establishments, and industry segment jobs.