Pennsylvania's Tech Industry Totals 200,300 Jobs
Pennsylvania is the 4^th Largest Cyberstate by Consumer Electronics Manufacturing Employment

Clark, NJ (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.

Pennsylvania's high-tech industry employment fell by 3,500 net jobs, for a total of 200,300 in 2004, the most current state data available.  Like many states, Pennsylvania suffered large job losses in the telecommunications services sector (-2,600) and the Internet services sector
(-6,300) between 2003 and 2004.  The largest growth area for the Pennsylvania tech industry was in computer system design and related services, which added some 5,100 jobs.

The report found that Pennsylvania exported $3 billion in high-tech goods in 2005, accounting for 13 percent of the state’s total exports.  Tech exports were up $120 million, or four percent, from 2004 to 2005.

"As the nation’s eighth largest cyberstate, it is critical that Pennsylvania prepare itself for an increasingly competitive world,” said Linda Klose, Executive Director, AeA New Jersey-Pennsylvania Council.  "To retain tech jobs that pay 74 percent more than the average private sector wage, we need to make sure our workforce and children are focused on math and science education.  Productivity and high skills are what will help Pennsylvania thrive in the 21^st century."

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 Pennsylvania?

• 200,300 high-tech workers (8^th ranked Cyberstate)
   

• 3,500 jobs lost between 2003 and 2004
   

• High-tech firms employed 42 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2004, ranked 28^th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $66,400 (21^st ranked), or 74 percent more than Pennsylvania's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $13.3 billion in 2004, ranked 9^th nationwide
   

• 12,300 high-tech establishments in 2004, ranked 8^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports totaled $3 billion in 2005, ranked 17^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports represented 13 percent of Pennsylvania’s exports
   

• Venture capital investments of $470 million in 2005, down 16 percent from $561 million in 2004
   

• R&D expenditures of $9.9 billion in 2003, ranked 10^th nationwide

Pennsylvania’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 4^th in consumer electronics manufacturing employment with 2,300 jobs
   

• 5^th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 11,200 jobs
   

• 6^th in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 10,100 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.

Data throughout this press release are rounded.

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

- # # # -

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.             

This page was last updated on 04/18/06.               
Copyright © 2006 American Electronics Association.  All rights reserved.