Tech Industry Remains Vital to North Carolina Economy

Job Growth Led by Computer Systems Design and Engineering Services

Alpharetta, GA (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 North Carolina's high-tech industry added 5,500 net jobs - 4 percent of the state's tech industry workforce - in 2007, the most recent year for which state data are available. North Carolina remained the 16th largest cyberstate, employing 150,600 tech workers with a total payroll of $11.4 billion. High-tech workers in North Carolina earn average wages of $75,900 - 96 percent higher than the state's average private sector wage.

"The high-tech industry has really played a key role in the growth of North Carolina's economy, adding 5,500 jobs in 2007," said Glen Whitley, Executive Director, TechAmerica Southeast. "The 2008 national data show that America's tech sector was more resilient than the private sector overall in weathering the downturn and may be poised to lead the economic recovery. Federal stimulus spending, which includes significant technology infrastructure investments, will likely boost growth and jobs creation in our state."

North Carolina's largest tech industry gains in 2007 came in computer systems design and related services (+2,900 jobs), engineering services (+1,800 jobs), R&D and testing labs (+600 jobs) and computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing (+400 jobs). The biggest loss came in communications services, which lost 700 jobs in 2007.

Two other major TechAmerica cyber reports are forthcoming 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.

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 North Carolina?

• 150,600 high-tech workers in 2007 (16th ranked cyberstate)
• 5,500 jobs added between 2006 and 2007, ranked 4th nationwide
• High-tech firms employed 44 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, ranked 25th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $75,900 (20th ranked), or 96 percent more than North Carolina's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $11.5 billion in 2007, ranked 15th nationwide
• 8,700 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 145th nationwide

North Carolina's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3rd in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment with 14,400 jobs
• 6th in communications equipment manufacturing employment with 8,100 jobs
• 7th in computer training employment with 700 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:
Glen Whitley
Executive Director, TechAmerica Southeast
678.352.9469 or glen.whitley@techamerica.org

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

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