Washington's Tech Industry Up by 1,200 Jobs
Washington Is the 2^nd Largest Cyberstate by Software Publishing Employment

Redmond, WA (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.

Washington’s high-tech industry employment grew by a net 1,200 jobs, to 152,000 in 2004, the most current state data available.  A large part of this job growth occurred in Washington’s most vital technology sector, software publishing, which gained over 2,000 jobs in 2004.  Washington ranked 2nd by software publishing employment; only California had more employees in this sector.  The high-tech industry accounted for nearly seven percent of statewide employment in 2004.

“This job growth is very positive news for Washington after two years of job losses in the tech sector,” said Terry Byington, Executive Director, AeA Washington Council.  “This is also good news for the state’s economy, as tech industry jobs in Washington pay twice the average private sector wages.  We need to support the long term growth of this industry by focusing our efforts on improving math and science education to adequately prepare the next generation of tech workers.”

Washington exported $2.8 billion in high-tech goods in 2005, up $15 million from 2004 and accounting for seven percent of all state exports. 

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 Washington?

• 152,000 high-tech workers (14^th ranked cyberstate)
   

• 1,200 jobs gained between 2003 and 2004 (8^th ranked cyberstate)
   

• High-tech firms employed 69 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2004, ranked 10th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $79,700 (5^th ranked), or 105 percent more than Washington's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $12.1 billion in 2004, ranked 12^th nationwide
   

• 6,500 high-tech establishments in 2004, ranked 17^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports totaled $2.8 billion in 2005, ranked 18^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports represented 7 percent of Washington’s exports
   

• Venture capital investments of $752 million in 2005, down 9 percent from $824 million in 2004
   

• R&D expenditures of $11.5 billion in 2003, ranked 7^th nationwide

Washington’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 2^nd in software publishers employment with 39,100 jobs
   

• 6^th in computer training employment with 1,000 jobs
   

• 12^th in telecommunications services employment with 26,500 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)

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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.             

This page was last updated on 04/18/06.               
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