Sarasota Tech Industry Adds 400 Jobs
Tech Wages Pay 89 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.

Sarasota's tech industry added 400 net jobs in 2005, the most current metropolitan data available, making it the state's 7th largest technology hub, with a total of 5,300 tech industry workers. These workers are paid an average annual wage of $62,600 – 89 percent more than the average private sector wage in the region. Sarasota's high-tech wages are ranked 3rd for high-tech annual average wages among all Florida cybercities. High-tech firms employ 21 of every 1,000 private sector workers in Sarasota.

Sarasota's leading high-tech industry sectors are telecommunications services, computer systems design and related services, and engineering services. Each sector added 200 jobs in 2005.

"High tech is an industry that any city or state should try to attract," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA's Florida Council. "And Sarasota is doing that. Despite facing intense competition from larger cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, Sarasota is adding technology jobs for the first time since the bursting of the tech bubble in 2001. Local leaders need to keep this momentum going by promoting the Sarasota area as an attractive place to do business. The benefits are enormous in terms of tax revenues and high paying jobs."

The Sarasota metropolitan area includes Manatee and Sarasota 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 Sarasota?

• 5,300 high-tech workers (7th ranked Florida cybercity)
• 400 net job gain between 2004 and 2005
• High-tech firms employed 21 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 10th statewide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $62,600 (3rd ranked), or 89 percent more than Sarasota's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $334 million in 2005, ranked 6th statewide
• 624 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 6th statewide

What Does High Tech Mean for Sarasota’s Tech Sectors?

• 1,500 jobs in the telecommunications services sector, a net gain of 200 from 2004 to 2005
• 1,200 jobs in the computer systems design and related services sector, a net gain of 200 from 2004 to 2005
• 1,100 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)

- # # # -

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.  
Copyright © 2007 American Electronics Association.  All rights reserved.