Wisconsin’s Tech Industry Adds 2,000 Jobs
Wisconsin Ranks 3rd in the Nation in Electromedical Equipment Manufacturing Employment

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.

Wisconsin's high-tech industry added 2,000 jobs, for a total of 79,800 in 2005, the most current state data available. The growth was dispersed across a variety of sectors. High-tech manufacturing added 900 net jobs, software services added 900 net jobs, and engineering and tech services added 800 jobs. Only communications services declined, losing some 600 net jobs, a continuing trend that is prevalent throughout the country.

Within high-tech manufacturing, one of Wisconsin’s strongest sectors continues to be electromedical equipment where it ranks 3rd in the country, employing 6,500 people in 2005, a three percent gain over 2004.

"Wisconsin’s tech industry is strong and growing,” said Rimas Buinevicius, Chairman and CEO of Sonic Foundry, Inc. "This growth is critical to the state economy, as tech industry jobs in Wisconsin pay more than the average private sector job.”

“The key to maintaining this growth will center on developing the skills and education of our workforce as well as adapting to a changing global marketplace,” continued Buinevicius. “State and local leaders need to actively support and extend the math and science education of our children. The federal government needs to expand their investment in early stage research and development efforts that provide the basis for industry transfer. With these sorts of efforts, we can maintain Wisconsin’s tremendous progress and continue improving our overall economy.”

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 Wisconsin?

• 79,800 high-tech workers (21st ranked cyberstate)
   

• 2,000 jobs added between 2004 and 2005
   

• High-tech firms employed 34 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2005, ranked 35th nationwide
   

• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $57,800 (35th ranked), or 65 percent more than Wisconsin's average private sector wage
   

• A high-tech payroll of $4.6 billion in 2005, ranked 22nd nationwide
   

• 4,800 high-tech establishments in 2005, ranked 21st nationwide
   

• Venture capital investments of $60.3 million in 2006, down 13 percent from $69.2 million in 2005
   

• R&D expenditures of $3.7 billion in 2004, ranked 22nd nationwide

Wisconsin’s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3rd in electromedical equipment manufacturing employment with 6,500 jobs
   

• 9th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 7,100 jobs
   

• 14th in software publishers employment with 4,500 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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