Massachusetts' Tech Industry Employment Totals 233,200
Massachusetts Has the 3^rd Highest Concentration of Tech Workers Nationwide

Woburn, MA (April 19, 2006) – AeA, the nation’s largest trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its ninth annual Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, exports, and other key economic factors.  The report, Cyberstates 2006: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Massachusetts' high-tech industry fell by a net 2,400 jobs, for a total of 233,200 in 2004, the most current state data available.  The nationwide downturn in the telecommunications services sector contributed to Massachusetts' decline, as this sector lost 1,800 jobs in 2004.  However, the tech industry benefited from the many research colleges and universities in Massachusetts, as the research and development and testing labs industry sector added 3,000 jobs in 2004.

"The tech industry continues to be a pillar in the Bay State's economy,” said Anne Doherty Johnson, Executive Director of the AeA New England Council.  "Massachusetts has the third highest concentration of tech jobs nationwide, which bodes well for an industry whose jobs pay 77 percent more than the average statewide private sector job.  Technology companies contribute over $20 billion in payroll to the state economy."

Nationally, Cyberstates 2006 shows that the high-tech industry is edging forward.  High-tech employment added 61,100 net jobs for a total of 5.6 million workers in 2005, the first increase in tech jobs in four years.  U.S. high-tech exports were also up by four percent for a total of $199 billion in 2005.

The ninth annual edition of Cyberstates provides a comprehensive review of the high-tech industry nationally and state-by-state by high-tech employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and trade.  Cyberstates also offers data on venture capital investments and R&D expenditures.

AeA members can purchase the report for $95; non-members for $190.  Please visit www.aeanet.org/cyberstates to download the report, or call 408.987.4200. 

What Does High Tech Mean for Massachusetts?

• 233,200 high-tech workers (6^th ranked Cyberstate)
   

• 2,400 jobs lost between 2003 and 2004
   

• High-tech firms employed 85 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2004, ranked 3^rd nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $87,200 (2^nd ranked), or 77 percent more than Massachusetts' average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $20.3 billion in 2004, ranked 4^th nationwide
   

• 12,100 high-tech establishments in 2004, ranked 9^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports totaled $8.7 billion in 2005, ranked 5^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports represented 39 percent of Massachusetts’ export
   

• Venture capital investments of $2.4 billion in 2005, down 16 percent
   

•  R&D expenditures of $15.6 billion in 2003, ranked 3^rd nationwide

Massachusetts’ National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 2^nd in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 16,900 jobs
   

• 2^nd in consumer electronics manufacturing employment with 3,000 jobs
   

• 4^th in R&D and testing labs employment with 39,800 jobs

Data are for 2004 unless otherwise noted.

2004 data are the most current for state employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry segment jobs.

Data throughout this press release are rounded.

Published by AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology (www.aeanet.org)

Source: Cyberstates 2006

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About AeA

AeA, founded in 1943, is a nationwide trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry and 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 04/18/06.             
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