Phoenix’s High-Tech Industry Adds 3,800 Jobs
Phoenix Is the 3rd Largest Cybercity for Semiconductor Manufacturing Jobs

Scottsdale, AZ (June 24, 2008) – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released Cybercities 2008: An Overview of the High-Technology Industry in the Nation's Top 60 Cities. This detailed report tracks trends in high-tech employment, wages, establishments, payroll, employment concentration, and wage differential at the metropolitan level.

Phoenix’s high-tech industry added 3,800 net jobs to its economy, totaling 91,400 in 2006, according to the most current metropolitan data available. These are important jobs as they paid well. The average high-tech wage of $76,700 was 83 percent higher then the average private sector wage in Phoenix.

Phoenix is a critical location for the semiconductor industry, as it employed 22,200 in 2006, making it the third largest semiconductor city in the nation. The engineering services sector also contributed to Phoenix’s job growth by adding 1,300 employees in 2006 to total 13,600.

“Phoenix’s high-tech industry continues to show job growth,” said Mike Hawksworth, President of MSS Technologies. “Our semiconductor manufacturing industry is particularly strong and we are seeing other high-tech industries growing. To maintain this growth, state and local leaders need to focus on improvements in our K-12 education system especially in the critical subjects of math and science to prepare our kids for the knowledge-driven careers of the future. Local leaders should also strive to maintain a business friendly environment in Phoenix. We compete for jobs and businesses not only with Silicon Valley but with countries around the world.”

Cybercities 2008 shows that the top five cybercities by high-tech employment in 2006 were the New York Metro Area, Washington, DC, San Jose/Silicon Valley, Boston, and Dallas-Fort Worth. The nation’s highest tech industry concentration was in San Jose/Silicon Valley, where more than one in four private sector workers were employed by the tech industry. Seattle saw the largest tech industry employment growth, adding 7,800 jobs in 2006.

Later this summer, AeA will release Trade in the Cyberstates 2008: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade. That report will look at the most recent data on high-tech exports from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

AeA members can purchase Cybercities 2008 for $125; non-members for $250.  Visit www.aeanet.org/cybercities to download the report, or call 408.987.4200. 

What Does High Tech Mean for Phoenix?

• 91,400 high-tech workers in 2006 (16th ranked cybercity)
   

• 3,800 jobs gained between 2005 and 2006 (7th ranked cybercity)
   

• High-tech firms employed 56 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2006 (34th ranked cybercity)
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $76,700 (26th ranked), or 83 percent more than Phoenix’s average private sector wage.
   

• A high-tech payroll of $7.0 billion in 2006 (19th ranked cybercity)
   

• 4,400 high-tech establishments in 2006 (16th ranked cybercity)

Phoenix’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3rd in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 22,200 jobs
   

• 17th in engineering services employment with 13,600 jobs
   

• 17th in telecommunication services employment with 13,600 jobs

Notes:

Phoenix = Maricopa and Pinal Counties.

Data are for 2006 unless otherwise noted.

2006 data are the most current available for employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry sector jobs.

Source: Cybercities 2008

Published by AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology (www.aeanet.org)

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About AeA

AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association, representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit http://www.aeanet.org.   

This page was last updated on 06/20/08.            
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