Texas’ Tech Job Market Experiences Substantial Growth 
Lone Star State Adds 13,700 Jobs; Remains Second Largest Cyberstate

Dallas, TX (April 2, 2008) – The Lone Star State once again “two-stepped” its way into a No. 2 ranking in the tech jobs category of AeA’s 11th annual Cyberstates report, which details national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors. AeA is the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry. 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.

At the forefront of the findings, Texas’s high-tech industry added 13,700 jobs for an industry total of 459,500 in 2006 – the most current state data available. Texas remains the second-largest cyberstate by tech employment, behind California and ahead of New York. Additionally, the high-tech industry in Texas paid out $37.5 billion in payroll in 2006. The Texas average tech industry wage in 2006 was $81,600 – 88 percent higher than the state’s average private sector wage.

“With another solid year of growth under its belt, Texas’ tech industry continues to be on the upswing – much like the technology industry as a whole,” said Douglas J. Bartek, chairman of the AeA Texas Council and chairman emeritus and co-founder of Dallas-based Tango Networks. “In addition, this report shows that tech industry workers are well paid in Texas, and signs point to continued growth in that area.” 

The largest employment gains took place in several of the technology services sectors. The fastest growth was in computer design and related services (+7,200), engineering services (+6,700), and R&D and testing labs (+1,500 jobs). Other tech job sectors, including semiconductor (+900) and defense electronics (+500), also experienced growth in 2006.

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.

“Nationwide, the technology industry is once again gathering steam, and, for this to continue, we must focus on adequately preparing our children for careers in the technology industry,” Bartek added. “With ongoing efforts by the AeA and other organizations to work through public policy and educational programs, we can expect to see the tech industry continue to grow in Texas and around the nation.”

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 Texas?

• 459,500 high-tech workers in 2006 (2nd ranked cyberstate)
   

• 13,700 jobs added between 2005 and 2006
   

• High-tech firms employed 56 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2006, ranked 16th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $81,600 (9th ranked), or 88 percent more than Texas's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $37.5 billion in 2006, ranked 2nd nationwide
   

• 23,500 high-tech establishments in 2006, ranked 2nd nationwide
   

• Venture capital investments of $1.42 billion in 2007, down two percent from $1.45 billion in 2006, ranked 3rd nationwide
   

• R&D expenditures of $14.4 billion in 2004, ranked 5th nationwide

Texas’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 1st in computer training employment with 1,600 jobs
   

• 2nd in engineering services with 88,100 jobs
   

• 2nd in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment with 20,200 jobs
   

• 2nd in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 36,000 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)

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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 03/27/08.                
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