Oregon's Tech Industry Sees Modest Job Growth
Oregon is the 3^rd Largest Cyberstate by Semiconductor Manufacturing Employment

Lake Oswego, OR (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.

Oregon's high-tech industry added 200 net jobs, for a total of 81,700 in 2004, the most recent year comprehensive state data are available.  Oregon’s largest technology sector is semiconductor manufacturing, which added nearly 200 jobs between 2003 and 2004, for a total of 26,400.  Oregon ranks third among cyberstates in semiconductor manufacturing employment.

“Oregon’s high-tech industry is stabilizing after the severe downturn of 2001-03,” says Bob DeKoning, CEO of Routeware and Chairman of the Oregon Council of AeA.  “Oregon’s reputation as a great place for high tech is growing.  Google and Yahoo are setting up shop here.  MathStar recently moved its corporate headquarters to Oregon from Minnesota.  And we’re very pleased to see that the LSI Logic facility in Gresham has been successfully purchased saving hundreds of jobs on Portland’s east side.  High tech remains strong in Oregon and is a vital part of the state’s economy.”

Cyberstates data show that Oregon high-tech employment stabilized in 2004, after losing more than 6,000 jobs between 2002 and 2003.  The report found that Oregon’s average high-tech wage is $71,200 (up six percent from the previous year), putting Oregon 13th in the nation in average tech sector wages.  Oregon high-tech wages average more than twice the average private sector wage in the state.

Oregon also ranked 9^th nationally in high-tech goods exports with $4.9 billion in 2005.  High-tech exports represent 39 percent of total state exports.

Nationally, Cyberstates 2006 shows that the high-tech industry is edging forward.  More recent national data show that U.S.  high-tech employment was up by 61,100 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.

This 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.  Visit www.aeanet.org/cyberstates to download the report, or call 408.987.4200. 

What Does High Tech Mean for Oregon?

• 81,700 high-tech workers (20^th ranked cyberstate)
   

• 200 jobs gained between 2003 and 2004
   

• High-tech firms employed 61 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2004, ranked 11^th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $71,200 (13^th ranked), or 103 percent more than Oregon's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $5.8 billion in 2004, ranked 19^th nationwide
   

• 4,000 high-tech establishments in 2004, ranked 23^rd nationwide
   

• High-tech exports totaled $4.9 billion in 2005, ranked 9^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports represented 39 percent of Oregon’s exports
   

• Venture capital investments of $138 million in 2005, down 9 percent from $153 million in 2004
   

• R&D expenditures of $3.6 billion in 2003, ranked 23^rd nationwide

Oregon’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3^rd in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 26,400 jobs
   

• 10^th in software publishers employment with 6,600 jobs
   

• 10^th in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment with 3,600 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2006

Data are for 2004 unless otherwise noted.

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

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

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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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