Ohio’s High-Tech Industry Adds 1,200 Jobs
High-Tech Services Sectors Drive First Year of Job Growth Since 2000

Oakbrook Terrace, IL (April 24, 2007) – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association with 2,500 member companies representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its 10th anniversary Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors. The report, Cyberstates 2007: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Ohio's high-tech industry gained 1,200 jobs in 2005, the most current state data available. Driven by significant gains in high-tech services such as computer systems design and related services (+2,800) and R&D and testing labs (+1,400), Ohio is starting to make up for job losses resulting from the consolidation of the telecommunications industry and a shrinking tech manufacturing base.

"After several years of job losses in the high-tech industry, Ohio is finally turning the corner and adding jobs,” said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, AeA’s Midwest Council. "Tech manufacturing continues to struggle, but Ohio experienced growth in the services sectors, including software services and engineering and tech services.”

“To promote long-term growth of technology jobs in Ohio,” continued Longanecker, “state and local policymakers need to sharpen their focus on the math and science education of our children and the skills of our workforce. If Ohioans do not have the skills and education to fill these high paying jobs, companies will look elsewhere to set up operations."

Nationally, Cyberstates 2007 shows that the high-tech industry is picking up. High-tech employment was up by 146,600 out of 5.8 million workers in 2006, the second year in a row that the U.S. tech industry has added jobs.

This 10th edition of Cyberstates provides a comprehensive review of the high-tech industry nationally and state-by-state in terms of high-tech employment, wages, payroll, and establishments. Cyberstates also offers data on venture capital investments and R&D expenditures.

A national and state-by-state analysis of the technology industry and international trade will appear in a forthcoming AeA report entitled Trade in the Cyberstates 2007: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade.

AeA members can purchase Cyberstates 2007 for $125; non-members for $250. Visit www.aeanet.org/cyberstates to download the report, or call 408.987.4200.

What Does High Tech Mean for Ohio?

• 152,400 high-tech workers (15th ranked cyberstate)
   

• 1,200 jobs added between 2004 and 2005
   

• High-tech firms employed 33 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 36th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $60,900 (31st ranked), or 65 percent more than Ohio's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $9.3 billion in 2005, ranked 16th nationwide
   

• 10,400 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 12th nationwide
   

• Venture capital investments of $43.5 million in 2006, ranked 28th
   

• R&D expenditures of $8 billion in 2004, ranked 12th nationwide

Ohio’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 9th in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 7,900 jobs
   

• 11th in R&D and testing labs employment with 19,500 jobs
   

• 12th in computer systems design and related services employment with 41,800 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2007

Data are for 2005 unless otherwise noted.

2005 state data are the most current available for 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, 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 http://www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 04/23/07.              
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