New AeA Cyberstates 2005 Report Full of Bright Spots for
Georgia High-Tech Industry
GEORGIA RANKED 11^TH IN HIGH TECH EMPLOYMENT
Georgia's High-Tech Exports Increase by $225 Million in 2004
Georgia is 7^th for Venture Capital Investments

Alpharetta, GA, April 26, 2005 – While Georgia was hit hard by the technology downturn, Georgia still ranks 11^th in the nation in high tech employment, according to Cyberstates 2005:  A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, a new analytical report released today by AeA.

Georgia's high-tech export data show a turnaround in the tech industry.  Tech exports grew by $225 million in 2004 for a total of $3.2 billion in Georgia making it the 13^th ranked state in the U.S.  These exports accounted for 16 percent of all exports from the state. 

"Georgia continues to be a highly attractive location for tech companies,” said Brian Martin, Chair of the AeA’s SE Council and CEO of Nanoventions, Inc in Roswell.  "In 1998, Georgia ranked 13^th in the nation by employment, we now rank 11^th.  Furthermore, we are highly encouraged because venture capital investments in Georgia soared by 88 percent in 2004 for a total of $585 million."

The report found that high-tech workers in Georgia were paid extremely well.  The average high-tech wage in the state was $65,600 in 2003, or 78 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.  In addition, 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 Georgia?

·      167,600 high-tech workers (11^th ranked cyberstate)

·      10,500 jobs lost between 2002 and 2003

·      High-tech firms employed 53 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2003, ranked 20^th nationwide

·      High-tech workers earned an average wage of $65,600 (17^th ranked), or 78% more than Georgia's average private sector wage

·      A high-tech payroll of $11 billion in 2003, ranked 13^th nationwide

·      11,400 high-tech establishments in 2003, ranked 10^th nationwide

·      High-tech exports totaled $3.2 billion in 2004, ranked 13^th nationwide

·      High-tech exports represented 16% of Georgia’s exports

·      Venture capital investments of $585 million in 2004, up 88% from $311 million in 2003

·      R&D expenditures of $3.9 billion in 2002, ranked 21^st nationwide

Georgia's National Industry Segment Rankings:

·      5^th in telecommunications services employment with 51,400 jobs

·      6^th in software publishers employment with 11,300 jobs

·      7^th in Internet services employment with 19,700 jobs

·      8^th in computer systems design and related services with 44,500 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 04/26/05.