Tallahassee Tech Industry Adds 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.

Tallahassee's tech industry added 500 net jobs in 2005, the most current metropolitan data available, making it the state's 6th largest technology hub, with a total of 5,900 tech industry workers. These workers are paid an average annual wage of $55,600 – 76 percent more than the average private sector wage in the region. High-tech firms employ 55 of every 1,000 private sector workers in Tallahassee. Tallahassee's high-tech employment growth from 2004 to 2005 was the 3rd fastest of all Florida cybercities.

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

"Governor Crist and the entire Florida State Legislature need to read this report and understand that the tech industry in Tallahassee is a microcosm for the state as a whole," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA's Florida Council. "High-tech employment both locally and at the state level is growing by leaps and bounds. The big shocker for many people both outside and inside Florida – including many of our lawmakers – is that Florida employs more tech workers than all but three other states. We are much more than agriculture and tourism. As important as those industries are, they do not pay workers nearly as well as the tech industry does. Anything our leaders can do to keep high tech growing in Florida – such as investing in schools, community colleges, research universities, and technology parks – will reap great economic rewards for the state."

The Tallahassee metropolitan area includes Gadsen, Jefferson, Leon, and Wakulla 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 Tallahassee?

• 5,900 high-tech workers (6th ranked Florida cybercity)
• 500 net job gain between 2004 and 2005
• High-tech firms employed 55 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 3rd statewide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $55,600 (8th ranked), or 76 percent more than Tallahassee's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $328 million in 2005, ranked 7th statewide
• 400 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 7th statewide

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

• 1,600 jobs in the computer systems design and related services sector, a net gain of 200 from 2004 to 2005
• 1,300 jobs in the Internet services sector, a net gain of 100 from 2004 to 2005
• 1,300 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.