Tech Industry Remains Vital to D.C. Economy

D.C. Is 6th Ranked Cyberstate by Concentration of Tech Workers

Washington, DC (March 31, 2009) - TechAmerica, formed by the merger of AeA and the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), today released its 12th annual Cyberstates report, which includes a first-ever supplement with a 3rd and 4th quarter breakdown of 2008 tech employment. Fourth quarter data show the tech industry's resilience compared to the U.S. economy as a whole, having sustained only a 0.6 percent drop in employment, or 38,000 jobs, in Q4 2008 when total private-sector employment declined by 1.3 percent.

The high-tech industry has added 382,900 jobs to the U.S. economy over the last four years. The industry added 77,000 net jobs in 2008, for a total of 5.9 million workers. This was on top of 79,600 added in 2007, 139,000 in 2006, and 87,400 in 2005.

The Cyberstates 2009 report - which details national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico - shows that, as a percentage of the overall private sector workforce, the District of Columbia had the 6th highest concentration of tech industry workers in the country - 73 tech workers for every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, the most current year for which state data is available.

"The technology sector is a critical component of the District's economy," said Phillip J. Bond, President of TechAmerica. "The 2008 national data show that America's tech economy is remarkably resilient, and is poised to make a quicker rebound than other industry sectors. Federal stimulus spending, which includes significant technology infrastructure investments, will help boost growth and jobs creation in the District of Columbia."

D.C.'s tech industry employment edged downward by 3,000, or about 8 percent, for a total of 32,500 tech industry workers in 2007. The largest job loss occurred in the R&D and testing labs sector, which saw a loss of 2,900 jobs.

Two other major TechAmerica cyber reports that analyze the U.S. high-tech industry: Cybercities 2009: An Overview of the High-Technology Industry in the Nation's Top 60 Cities, and Trade in the Cyberstates 2009: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade, are forthcoming.

Cyberstates 2009 may be purchased for $150. The quarterly supplement may be freely downloaded. Both reports may be accessed at: www.techamerica.org/cyberstates.

What Does High Tech Mean for D.C.?

• 32,500 high-tech workers in 2007 (36th ranked cyberstate)
• 3,000 jobs lost between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 873 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, ranked 6th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $89,300 (7th ranked), or 29 percent more than D.C.'s average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $2.9 billion in 2007, ranked 31st nationwide
• 2,200 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 37th nationwide

D.C.'s National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 20th in R&D and testing labs employment with 7,300 jobs
• 22nd in computer systems design and related services employment with 15,900 jobs
• 31st in software publisher employment with 900 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2009

Data are for 2007 unless otherwise noted.

2007 state data are the most current available for employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry sector jobs.

Published by TechAmerica - Where the Future Begins

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About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry, the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,500 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. It is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). TechAmerica was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA). Learn more at www.techamerica.org.

Contact:
Anne Caliguiri
Director of Communications
202.682.4443 or anne.caliguiri@techamerica.org

Josh James
Director, Research and Industry Analysis (research-based inquiries)
202.682.4422 or josh.james@techamerica.org

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