Tech Industry Remains Vital to Maryland Economy

Maryland Has the 5th Highest Concentration of Tech Industry Workers of All Cyberstates

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 Maryland's high-tech industry added 77 net jobs in 2007, the most current year for which state data are available. Maryland was ranked 13th in 2007 - employing 166,200 tech workers with a total payroll of $14 billion. Maryland has the 5th highest concentration of tech industry workers of all cyberstates with 80 out of every 1,000 private sector workers employed by the high-tech industry.

"The high-tech industry is vital to Maryland's economy," said Phillip J. Bond, President of TechAmerica. "The 2008 national data show the resilience of America's tech sector compared to the rest of the private sector. Maryland's tech industry may be better positioned to stage a comeback after the recession if it can tap into the federal stimulus package, which includes significant technology infrastructure investments, to boost job creation and facilitate recovery in Maryland and throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region."

Maryland's tech industry job gains in 2007 came predominantly in the services sectors. Computer systems design and related services added 1,200 net jobs, engineering services added 100 net jobs. R&D and testing labs, communications services and defense electronics experienced job losses, 1,100, 400 and 100 net jobs respectively.

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 Maryland?

• 166,200 high-tech workers in 2007 (13th ranked cyberstate)
• 77 jobs added between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 80 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, ranked 5th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $84,400 (10th ranked), or 82 percent more than Maryland's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $14.0 billion in 2007, ranked 13th nationwide
• 10,400 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 13th nationwide

Maryland's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 5th in defense electronics manufacturing employment with 8,400 jobs
• 7th in computer systems design and related services employment with 57,400 jobs
• 7th in engineering services employment with 32,000 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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