Orlando’s Tech Industry Adds 2,500 Jobs
Tech Wages Pay 76 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.

Orlando's tech industry added 2,500 net jobs in 2005, the most current metropolitan data available, making it the state's 3rd largest technology hub, with a total of 42,600 tech industry workers. These workers are paid an average annual wage of $63,600 – 76 percent more than the average private sector wage in Orlando. High-tech firms employ 49 of every 1,000 private sector workers in Orlando.

Orlando's leading high-tech industry sectors are telecommunications services, engineering services, and computer systems design and related services. Computer systems design and related services added 1,000 net jobs and engineering services added 900 net jobs in 2005.

"Most people outside Florida don't realize the Sunshine State boasts the 4th largest tech economy in the country," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA's Florida Council. "They know us for our theme parks but not our technology parks. But what's even more unfortunate is that most Floridians don't realize how high tech our state is. And Orlando is the 3rd largest technology hub in the state. This report needs to get the attention of state lawmakers in Tallahassee and local officials in Orlando. We will only maintain our high tech status if we continue to attract cutting-edge companies by investing in our public schools and institutions of higher learning."

The Orlando metropolitan area includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole 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 Orlando?

• 42,600 high-tech workers (3rd ranked Florida cybercity)

• 2,500 jobs added between 2004 and 2005

• High-tech firms employed 49 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 5th statewide

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $63,600 (2nd ranked), or 76 percent more than Orlando's average private sector wage

• A high-tech payroll of $2.7 billion in 2005, ranked 3rd statewide

• 2,400 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 3rd statewide

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

• 10,400 jobs in the telecommunications services sector, a net loss of 100 from 2004 to 2005

• 8,500 jobs in the engineering services sector, a net gain of 900 from 2004 to 2005

• 8,400 jobs in the computer systems design and related services sector, a net gain of 1,000 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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