Idaho’s Tech Industry Adds 1,100 Jobs
Idaho Tech Industry Wages Are More Than Double the State’s Average Private Sector Wage

Lynnwood, WA (April 24, 2007) – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association with 2,500 member companies representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its 10th anniversary Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors. The report, Cyberstates 2007: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Idaho's high-tech industry saw a net gain of 1,100 jobs for an industry total of 36,100 tech workers in 2005, the most current state data available. This three percent gain makes it the 11th fastest growing state in the nation by rate of growth. Idaho also has the 7th highest tech concentration nationwide with 71 of every 1000 private sector workers in high-tech. This is particularly significant considering that these high-tech workers’ average wages are 103 percent higher than the average private sector wage.

“Idaho’s concentration of high-tech workers is even higher than California,” said Terry Byington, Executive Director of AeA’s Washington Council, which also represents Idaho tech companies. “This, combined with our steady increase of high-tech jobs over the last two years, reveals that our tech industry is strong. The picture is not all rosy, however. The fact that Idaho received no venture capital investments in 2006 reveals that we have plenty of room for improvement if we are to grow the industry and continue to add jobs in the years to come.”

Nationally, Cyberstates 2007 shows that the high-tech industry is picking up. High-tech employment was up by 146,600 out of 5.8 million workers in 2006, the second year in a row that the U.S. tech industry has added jobs.

This 10th edition of Cyberstates provides a comprehensive review of the high-tech industry nationally and state-by-state in terms of high-tech employment, wages, payroll, and establishments. Cyberstates also offers data on venture capital investments and R&D expenditures.

A national and state-by-state analysis of the technology industry and international trade will appear in a forthcoming AeA report entitled Trade in the Cyberstates 2007: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade.

AeA members can purchase Cyberstates 2007 for $125; non-members for $250. Visit www.aeanet.org/cyberstates to download the report, or call 408.987.4200.

What Does High Tech Mean for Idaho?

• 36,100 high-tech workers (35th ranked cyberstate)
   

• 1,100 jobs added between 2004 and 2005
   

• High-tech firms employed 71 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 7th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $61,900 (28th ranked), or 103 percent more than Idaho's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $2.2 billion in 2005, ranked 33rd nationwide
   

• 1,700 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 40th nationwide
   

• Idaho received no venture capital investments in 2006
   

• R&D expenditures of $1 billion in 2004, ranked 35th nationwide

Idaho’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 6th in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 11,200 jobs
   

• 8th in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment with 4,200 jobs
   

• 21st in R&D Testing Labs employment with 8,000 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2007

Data are for 2005 unless otherwise noted.

2005 state data are the most current available for employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry sector jobs.

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

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About AeA

AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association with 2,500 member companies representing all segments of the high-tech industry, 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 04/23/07.                
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