Utah’s Tech Industry Adds 3,400 Jobs
Software Services Employment Up 1,600 Jobs, or 11 Percent in 2005

Broomfield, CO (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.

Utah's high-tech industry experienced a net gain of 3,400 jobs – or seven percent – in 2005, the most current state data available. Utah moved up one spot from the 27th to the 26th largest cyberstate, employing 52,600 tech workers with a total payroll of $3.0 billion.

While tech manufacturing employment in Utah remained flat, every one of the state’s high-tech services sectors added jobs in 2005. The fastest growth was in computer design and related services (+1,300 jobs), followed by Internet services (+900 jobs), and engineering services (+400 jobs).

"Tech companies, particularly in the services sectors, are increasingly finding Utah an attractive place to locate,” said Jessica Wright, Executive Director, AeA Mountain States Council. "The Beehive State offers educated workers, low tax rates, and an affordable cost of living. Attracting this industry to Utah benefits the entire state economy. The average tech industry job pays 76 percent more than the average private sector job in Utah.”

“To promote long-term growth of tech jobs,” continued Wright, “state and local leaders need to remain focused on the math and science education of our children. And they need to apply pressure on our leaders in Washington to promote policies that encourage the best and brightest from around the world to come work in our universities and technology companies. These talented individuals, in turn, spawn innovation and new companies that provide opportunities for the entire state."

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 Utah?

• 52,600 high-tech workers (26th ranked cyberstate)
   
• 3,400 jobs added between 2004 and 2005
   
• High-tech firms employed 57 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 14th nationwide
   
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $57,850 (34th ranked), or 76 percent more than Utah's average private sector wage
   
• A high-tech payroll of $3.0 billion in 2005, ranked 27th nationwide
   
• 3,900 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 26th nationwide
   
• Venture capital investments of $168 million in 2006, ranked 18th nationwide
   
• R&D expenditures of $1.6 billion in 2004, ranked 32nd nationwide

Utah’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 12th in electromedical manufacturing employment with 1,600 jobs
   

• 12th in software publishers employment with 5,100 jobs
   

• 14th in communications equipment manufacturing employment with 2,800 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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