Idaho’s High-Tech Industry Totals 34,100 Jobs
Idaho's High-Tech Exports Jump by 58 Percent in 2004

Redmond, WA, April 26, 2005 – High-tech industry employment in Idaho totaled 34,100 in 2003, the most recent available state data.  While Idaho was hit hard by the technology slowdown, losing some 1,200 jobs in 2003, the industry is rebounding, 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 from Idaho leaped by 58 percent, from $1.2 billion in 2003 to $1.9 billion in 2004,” said Terry Byington, Executive Director, AeA Washington State Council.  "This foreshadows a strong turnaround in the tech industry in Idaho, especially since high-tech exports represent 67 percent of all exports from Idaho."

High-tech workers in Idaho are paid extremely well.  The average high-tech wage in the state was $57,900 in 2003, over twice 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 Idaho?

·      34,100 high-tech workers (35^th ranked cyberstate)

·      1,200 jobs lost between 2002 and 2003

·      High-tech firms employed 73 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2003, ranked 8^th nationwide

·      High-tech workers earned an average wage of $57,900, or 105% more than Idaho's average private sector wage (2^nd highest wage differential)

·      A high-tech payroll of $2.0 billion in 2003, ranked 33^rd nationwide

·      1,600 high-tech establishments in 2003, ranked 40^th nationwide

·      High-tech exports totaled $1.9 billion in 2004, ranked 22^nd nationwide

·      High-tech exports represented 67% of Idaho's exports (2^nd ranked)

·      Venture capital investments of $2.5 million in 2004

·      R&D expenditures of $1.4 billion in 2002, ranked 33^rd nationwide

Idaho’s National Industry Segment Rankings:

·      6^th in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 11,000 jobs

·      8^th in computers and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment with 4,500 jobs

·      21^st in R&D and testing labs employment with 7,800 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.