D.C.'s Tech Industry Employment Is Up
D.C. Is Ranked 4^th by Concentration of Tech Workers

Washington, DC (April 19, 2006) – AeA, the nation’s largest trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its ninth annual Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, exports, and other key economic factors.  The report, Cyberstates 2006: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The District of Columbia's tech industry has fared extremely well over the past five years.  Not only did it add 500 net jobs to the local economy in 2004, but tech industry employment was also up by 5,100 between 1999 and 2004. 

“The District of Columbia weathered the recent economic downturn quite well, in part, because it is home to the federal government,” said Gregory Poersch, Executive Director of the AeA Potomac Council.  "Our nation’s capital remains a strategic location for innovation.  It ranks first in the country in research and development expenditures per capita and 18th in the number of people employed by the R&D and testing labs industry, despite having the second smallest population in the country.”

Nationally, Cyberstates 2006 shows that the high-tech industry is edging forward.  High-tech employment added 61,100 net jobs for a total of 5.6 million workers in 2005, the first increase in tech jobs in four years.  U.S. high-tech exports were also up by four percent for a total of $199 billion in 2005.

This ninth 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.  Please visit www.aeanet.org/cyberstates to download the report, or call 408.987.4200. 

What Does High Tech Mean for D.C.?

• 33,800 high-tech workers (36^th ranked Cyberstate)
   
• 500 jobs gained between 2003 and 2004
   
• High-tech firms employed 79 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2004, ranked 4^th nationwide
   
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $76,500 (7^th ranked), or 29 percent more than D.C.'s average private sector wage
   
• A high-tech payroll of $2.6 billion in 2004, ranked 29^th nationwide
   
• 1,800 high-tech establishments in 2004, ranked 37^th nationwide
   
• High-tech exports totaled $119 million in 2005, ranked 47^th nationwide
   
• High-tech exports represented 14 percent of D.C.’s exports
   
• Venture capital investments of $31 million in 2005
   
• R&D expenditures of $2.7 billion in 2003, ranked 26^th nationwide

D.C.’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 18^th in R&D and testing labs employment with 9,700 jobs
   
• 22^nd in computer systems design and related services employment with 13,300 jobs
   
• 28^th in Internet services employment with 3,200 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2006

Data are for 2004 unless otherwise noted.

2004 data are the most current for state employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry segment jobs.

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

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About AeA

AeA, founded in 1943, is a nationwide 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 www.aeanet.org. 

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