Puerto Rico’s Tech Industry Adds 1,900 Jobs
Puerto Rico is the 4^th Ranked Cyberstate by Electromedical Equipment Manufacturing Employment

Orlando, FL (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.

Puerto Rico's high-tech industry added 1,900 net jobs, for a total of 33,100 in 2004, the most current state data available.  Much of this job growth occurred in one of Puerto Rico’s most crucial technology sectors, Internet services, which gained nearly 600 jobs between 2003 and 2004.  Puerto Rico ranked 4th among all cyberstates in electromedical equipment manufacturing employment, adding 200 jobs in this sector, totaling 4,600.

"The impressive job growth is a strong sign that Puerto Rico is benefiting greatly from its high-tech industry,” states Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA’s Florida Council which includes Puerto Rico.  "Companies find the commonwealth an attractive location for high-tech manufacturing and services because of competitive wages and strong ties to the Latin American market.”

Puerto Rico is the 20th ranked state by high-tech exports.  Its tech industry exported $2.7 billion in high-tech goods in 2005, accounting for 20 percent of its total exports. 

Puerto Ricans are also benefiting from the high wages that technology jobs pay.  The average high-tech employee in Puerto Rico is paid about $35,000, 67 percent higher than the average private sector wage in Puerto Rico.

Nationally, Cyberstates 2006 shows that the high-tech industry is edging forward.  High-tech employment was up by 61,100 out 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 Puerto Rico?

• 33,100 high-tech workers (37^th ranked cyberstate)
   

• 1,900 jobs gained between 2003 and 2004
   

• High-tech firms employed 44 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2004, ranked 25^th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $34,900 (52^nd ranked), or 67 percent more than Puerto Rico's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $1.2 billion in 2004, ranked 42^nd nationwide
   

• 1,100 high-tech establishments in 2004, ranked 47^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports totaled $2.7 billion in 2005, ranked 20^th nationwide
   

• High-tech exports represented 20 percent of Puerto Rico’s export
   

• Venture capital investments of $1.7 million in 2005, up 17 percent from $1.5 million in 2004

Puerto Rico’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 4^th in electromedical equipment manufacturing employment with 4,600 jobs
   
• 22^nd in electronic components manufacturing employment with 3,300 jobs
   
• 29^th in telecommunications services employment with 11,700 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 sector 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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