Jacksonville Tech Industry Adds 2,000 Jobs
Tech Wages Pay 65 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.

Jacksonville's tech industry added 2,000 net jobs in 2005, the most current metropolitan data available, making it the state's 5th largest technology hub, with a total of 18,200 tech industry workers. These workers are paid an average annual wage of $61,900 – 65 percent more than the average private sector wage in Jacksonville. High-tech firms employ 37 of every 1,000 private sector workers in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville's leading high-tech industry sectors are computer systems design and related services, telecommunications services, and engineering services. Each sector added jobs in 2005, led by computer systems design and related services, which added 500 net jobs.

"Jacksonville's high-tech industry is booming," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA's Florida Council. "Tech industry jobs rose by an impressive 12 percent. These jobs pay nearly two-thirds more than the average private sector job. Business and government officials need to appreciate how important tech is to the local economy. Local leaders need to invest in initiatives to improve math and science instruction in Jacksonville schools. The community must support the institutions of higher learning, from community and technical schools to research universities. They produce the highly skilled workforce that is the lifeblood of the tech industry."

The Jacksonville metropolitan area includes Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns Counties.

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 Jacksonville?

• 18,200 high-tech workers (5th ranked Florida cybercity)

• 2,000 jobs added between 2004 and 2005

• High-tech firms employed 37 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 7th statewide

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $61,900 (4th ranked), or 65 percent more than Jacksonville's average private sector wage

• A high-tech payroll of $1.1 billion in 2005, ranked 5th statewide

• 1,200 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 4th statewide

What Does High Tech Mean for Jacksonville's Tech Sectors?

• 5,100 jobs in the computer systems design and related services sector, a net gain of 500 from 2004 to 2005

• 4,200 jobs in the telecommunications services sector, a net gain of 100 from 2004 to 2005

• 3,700 jobs in the engineering services sector, a net gain of 200 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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