Jobs in Florida's Tech Industry Total 258,800
Tech Exports from Florida Grow to $9.4 billion

Orlando, FL, April 26, 2005 – Florida's high-tech industry employment totaled 258,800 in 2003, the most recent available state data.  While tech employment fell by 9,000 jobs in 2003, Florida remained the 4^th largest state by technology employment in the nation.  On the other hand the export data for 2004 showed improvement in Florida's tech industry, according to Cyberstates 2005:  A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, a new analytical report released today by AeA.

"High-tech exports in Florida grew by 18 percent in 2004 for a total of $9.4 billion," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director, AeA Florida Council.  "This export growth foreshadows a turnaround in Florida's technology industry.  Furthermore, as the nation's fourth largest cyberstate by tech employment, Florida continues to be an attractive location for technology companies."

High-tech workers in Florida were paid extremely well.  The average high-tech wage in the state was $55,700 in 2003, or 70 percent higher than the state’s average private sector wage.

Nationally, Cyberstates 2005 shows that the high-tech industry is slowly turning the corner.  High-tech employment was down by only 25,000 jobs out of 5.6 million workers in 2004.  U.S. high-tech exports were up by 12 percent for a total of $191 billion in 2004.  And, technology related venture capital investments were up for the first time in four years.

This eighth annual edition of Cyberstates provides a comprehensive review of the high-tech industry nationally and state-by-state by high-tech employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and trade.  Cyberstates also offers data on venture capital investments and R&D expenditures.

AeA members can purchase the report for $95; non-members for $190.  Visit www.aeanet.org to download the report, or call 800.284.4232 or 408.987.4200.

What Does High Tech Mean for Florida?

·      258,800 high-tech workers (4^th ranked cyberstate)

·      9,000 jobs lost between 2002 and 2003

·      High-tech firms employed 42 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2003, ranked 30^th nationwide

·      High-tech workers earned an average wage of $55,700 (32^nd ranked), or 70% more than Florida's average private sector wage

·      A high-tech payroll of $14.4 billion in 2003, ranked 7^th nationwide

·      18,600 high-tech establishments in 2003, ranked 3^rd nationwide

·      High-tech exports totaled $9.4 billion in 2004, ranked 3^rd nationwide

·      High-tech exports represented 33% of Florida’s exports

·      Venture capital investments of $264 million in 2004, ranked 16^th nationwide

·      R&D expenditures of $5.5 billion in 2002, ranked 14^th nationwide

Florida’s National Industry Segment Rankings:

·      3^rd in telecommunications services employment with 69,400 jobs

·      3^rd in engineering services employment with 45,200 jobs

·      4^th in Internet services employment with 24,300 jobs

·      4^th in communications equipment manufacturing employment with 11,700 jobs

Source:  Cyberstates 2005

Data are for 2003 unless otherwise noted.

2003 data are the most current for state employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry segment jobs.

Published by AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology

NOTE TO EDITORS: Press releases focusing on U.S. high-tech trade as well as on specific states are available on AeA’s website.

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About AeA
AeA, founded in 1943, is a nationwide non-profit trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry and 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 04/27/05.