California Tech Industry Adds 21,400 Jobs
California High-Tech Workers Earn Highest Wage in the Nation, $101,200, AeA Report Says

Irvine, CA (April 2, 2008) – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its 11th annual Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors. The report, Cyberstates 2008: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

California's high-tech industry added 21,400 net jobs – a two percent increase – for a tech industry total of 940,700 in 2006, the most current state data available. This marks the second net increase in jobs since the tech bubble began to burst in 2000. Leading the way in job creation were the computer systems design and related services sector (+12,600 jobs) and the engineering services sector (+6,100 jobs). 

The report found that California continues to lead the nation by most high-tech industry metrics. California's tech workers had the highest average wage at $101,200 which is 112 percent above the state’s average private sector wage. This differential is also the highest in the nation. Venture capital investments increased eight percent to $13.8 billion in 2007, accounting for 47 percent of all venture capital in the country.

“Orange County is a bastion of technological innovation within the state, with technology spanning many high-tech sectors,” offered Charlie Sundling, President and CEO of The Pipeline Group and Chairman of the AeA Orange County Council. “We need to support tech growth by pushing our policy leaders to invest in the education of our current and future workforce, to decrease the bureaucratic hurtles for employing high skilled foreign nationals, and to support our cutting edge research institutions like UC Irvine. This research and the individuals who conduct it are the ones making the breakthroughs that spawn the innovative companies, that grow our economy, and create high paying jobs for Orange County and the Inland Empire.”

"AeA's Orange County council has been at the forefront of these conversations with policy officials," concluded Kevin McDonald, Vice President at Alvaka Networks and vice chair of the local AeA council. "Our member executives have held conversations with numerous federal, state, and local officials about the need for making sure that public policy advances the business of technology, instead of impeding it. The high tech industry is the key to our economic recovery. It is our hope that our representatives do not damage that position by taking away the tools that have made this possible."

Nationally, Cyberstates 2008 shows that the high-tech industry added jobs for the third consecutive year. Tech industry employment totaled 5.9 million, after adding 91,400 jobs in
2007. This is on top of job gains of 139,000 in 2006 and 87,400 in 2005.

This 11th 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.

Two other major AeA cyber reports are forthcoming that analyze the U.S. high-tech industry: Cybercities 2008: An Overview of the High-Technology Industry in the Nation’s Top 60 Cities, and Trade in the Cyberstates 2008: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade.

AeA members can purchase Cyberstates 2008 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 California?

• 940,700 high-tech workers in 2006 (1st ranked cyberstate)
   

• 21,400 jobs gained between 2005 and 2006, ranked 1st nationwide
   

• High-tech firms employed 72 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2006, ranked 7th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $101,200 (1st ranked), or 112 percent more than California's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $95.2 billion in 2006, ranked 1st nationwide
   

• 43,400 high-tech establishments in 2006, ranked 1st nationwide
   

• Venture capital investments of $13.8 billion in 2007, up eight percent from $12.8 billion in 2006, ranked 1st nationwide
   

• R&D expenditures of $60.5 billion in 2004, ranked 1st nationwide

California’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 1st in computer systems design and related services employment with 185,100 jobs
   

• 1st in telecommunications services employment with 109,600 jobs
   

• 1st in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 69,400 jobs
   

• 1st in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing with 57,100 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2008

Data are for 2006 unless otherwise noted.

2006 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)

- # # # -

About AeA

AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association, 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 04/02/08.   
Copyright © 2008 American Electronics Association.   All rights reserved.