Cape Coral/Fort Myers Tech Jobs Up Six Percent
Tech Wages Pay 48 Percent More than the Area’s Average Private Sector Wage

Orlando, FL (September 25, 2007) – AeA, the nation's largest trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released Florida Cybercities 2007. The report provides a comprehensive review of the high-tech industry statewide and in the 10 largest metropolitan areas by high-tech employment, wages, payroll, and establishments.

Cape Coral/Fort Myers' tech industry added 200 net jobs in 2005, the most current metropolitan data available, making it the state's 9th largest technology hub, with a total of 4,400 tech industry workers. These workers are paid an average annual wage of $51,300 – 48 percent more than the average private sector wage in the region. High-tech firms employ 24 of every 1,000 private sector workers in Cape Coral/Fort Myers.

Cape Coral/Fort Myers' leading high-tech sectors are engineering services, telecommunications services, and computer systems design and related services. Engineering services added 200 net jobs and computer systems design and related services added 100 net jobs in 2005. However, the telecommunications services sector experienced a net loss of 100 jobs in 2005.

"The people of Cape Coral and Fort Myers – not to mention people across the state – probably don't think of themselves as having a thriving high-tech industry," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of the AeA. "But they should. Our high-tech industry is modest but critical to the local economy. But we are competing not only with other states, but also with other countries for these high paying jobs. Local officials need to understand this and create competitive incentives that lure these companies and this talent to our region. The jobs, tax revenue, and innovations they produce benefit the entire region."

The Cape Coral/Fort Myers metropolitan area includes all of Lee County.

Florida's statewide high-tech industry employment added 10,900 net jobs, or by four percent, for a tech industry total of 276,400 jobs in 2005, the most current state data available. This makes Florida the 4th ranked cyberstate by tech industry employment and the 2nd fastest growing cyberstate in 2005. Geographically, Florida's tech industry is diffused across the state.

Florida Cybercities 2007 is directly comparable to AeA's annual Cyberstates report. Released in April, Cyberstates 2007 provides a comprehensive review of the high-technology industry at the national and state-by-state level.

AeA members can purchase Florida Cybercities 2007 for $45; non-members for $90. Please visit www.aeanet.org/FLcybercities to download the report, or call 408.987.4200.

What Does High Tech Mean for Cape Coral/Fort Myers?

• 4,400 high-tech workers (9th ranked Florida cybercity)

• 200 net job gain between 2004 and 2005

• High-tech firms employed 24 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 8th statewide

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $51,300 (9th ranked), or 48 percent more than Cape Coral/Fort Myers' average private sector wage

• A high-tech payroll of $226 million in 2005, ranked 9th statewide

• 400 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 8th statewide

What Does High Tech Mean for Cape Coral/Fort Myers' Tech Sectors?

• 1,600 jobs in the engineering services sector in 2005, a net gain of 200 from 2004 to 2005

• 1,400 jobs in the telecommunications services sector in 2005, a net loss of 100 from 2004 to 2005

• 500 computer systems design and related services jobs in 2005, a net gain of 100 from 2004 to 2005

Source: Florida Cybercities 2007

Data are for 2005 unless otherwise noted.

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

Data throughout this press release are rounded.

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 www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 09/24/07.  
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