Illinois’ High-Tech Industry Totals 210,600 Jobs
Illinois' High-Tech Exports Jump by 14 Percent in 2004

Oakbrook Terrace, IL, April 26, 2005 – High-tech industry employment in Illinois totaled 210,600 in 2003, the most recent available state data.  While Illinois' tech industry was hit hard by the technology downturn, losing some 17,100 jobs in 2003, the tech industry job loss is slowing, 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 Illinois increased by $650 million in 2004 to $5.3 billion,” said Marty Singer, Chairman & CEO, PCTEL, Inc.  "This foreshadows a turnaround in the tech industry in Illinois.  In fact, the tech industry is still of great importance to Illinois with tech workers earning an annual average salary that is 64 percent more than the state's average private sector worker."

Illinois ranked third by employment in communications equipment manufacturing with 12,700 workers and third by measuring and control instruments manufacturing with 13,200 jobs.

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 Illinois?

·      210,600 high-tech workers (7^th ranked cyberstate)

·      17,100 jobs lost between 2002 and 2003

·      High-tech firms employed 43 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2003, ranked 27^th nationwide 

·      High-tech workers earned an average wage of $66,500 (16^th ranked), or 64% more than Illinois's average private sector wage

·      A high-tech payroll of $14.0 billion in 2003, ranked 9^th nationwide

·      15,200 high-tech establishments in 2003, ranked 5^th nationwide

·      High-tech exports totaled $5.3 billion in 2004, ranked 7^th nationwide

·      High-tech exports represented 18% of Illinois's exports (26^th ranked)

·      Venture capital investments of $272 million in 2004

·      R&D expenditures of $10.2 billion in 2002, ranked 8^th nationwide

Illinois’s National Industry Segment Rankings:

·      3^rd in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 13,200 jobs

·      3^rd in communications equipment manufacturing employment with 12,700 jobs

·      4^th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 11,400 jobs

·      5^th in R&D and testing labs employment with 35,400 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.