Missouri’s Tech Industry Adds 1,800 Jobs
Missouri’s First Tech Industry Job Growth Since 2000

Oakbrook Terrace, IL (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.

Missouri's high-tech industry saw a net gain of 1,800 jobs for a total of 88,300 workers in 2005, the most recent state data available. Like many states, Missouri suffered the largest job losses in the telecommunications services sector, down 2,000 jobs in 2005. On the positive side, Missouri saw growth in several sectors including computer design and related services (+1,700 jobs), R&D and testing labs (+1,000 jobs), and Internet services (+700 jobs).

"Missouri’s high-tech industry has turned the corner and is adding jobs again for the first time since the tech bubble began to burst in 2000,” said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, AeA’s Midwest Council. "Many in the Show Me State, including officials in Jefferson City may not understand how critical high tech is to the entire state’s economy. Tech industry jobs pay wages that are 81 percent higher than the average private sector wage in Missouri.

“To promote long-term growth of tech jobs,” continued Longanecker. “we need to remain focused on the math and science education of our children and the skills of our workforce, and remain committed to research and development in Missouri’s companies and universities."

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 Missouri?

• 88,300 high-tech workers (19th ranked cyberstate)
   

• 1,800 jobs added between 2004 and 2005
   

• High-tech firms employed 39 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 33rd nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $65,400 (24th ranked), or 81 percent more than Missouri's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $5.8 billion in 2005, ranked 20th nationwide
   

• 5,500 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 19th nationwide
   

• Venture capital investments of $81.2 million in 2006, ranked 23rd nationwide
   

• R&D expenditures of $3 billion in 2004, ranked 25th nationwide

Missouri’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 11th in Internet services employment with 12,800 jobs
   

• 15th in telecommunications services employment with 22,400 jobs
   

• 18th in R&D and testing labs employment with 10,100 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. 

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