Tech Industry Remains Vital to New Mexico Economy

New Mexico Has 4th Highest Concentration of Tech Workers in the Nation

Scottsdale, AZ (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 New Mexico's high-tech industry saw a net gain of 2,200 jobs for a total of 51,700 tech workers in 2007, the most current year for which state data are available. As a percentage of the overall private sector workforce, New Mexico has the 4th highest concentration of tech workers in the country - 81 tech workers for every 1,000 private sector workers. The average annual tech industry wage in the state, $71,100, is 102 percent more than the state's average private sector wage.

"In its fourth consecutive year of growth, New Mexico's high tech industry added 2,200 jobs in 2007 - a positive report amidst a dismal state economic reality," said Bill Hinz, founder and CEO of BioCair a electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatus manufacturing company. "The best way to treat these numbers is as an indication of high-tech's resilience as an industry. Given the high concentration of tech workers in New Mexico with more than double the average private sector wage, the federal stimulus package, which includes substantial technology investments, could potentially facilitate the creation of these well paid jobs, while simultaneously working to ensure the future competitiveness of our economy."

New Mexico's tech industry growth in 2007 can largely be attributed to a rapid rise in employment in R&D and testing labs, which added 3,000 jobs followed by computer systems design and related services adding 400 jobs. The state saw the largest job losses in semiconductor manufacturing (-900 jobs) and communications services (-300 jobs).

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 New Mexico?

• 51,700 high-tech workers in 2007 (28th ranked cyberstate)
• 2,200 jobs added between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 81of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, ranked 4th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $71,100 (24th ranked), or 102 percent more than New Mexico's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $3.7 billion in 2007, ranked 27th nationwide
• 2,300 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 35th nationwide

New Mexico's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 9th in semiconductor manufacturing employment with 5,400 jobs
• 11th in R&D and testing labs employment with 23,200 jobs
• 33rd in engineering services employment with 7,200 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:
Jim Garnett
Executive Director, TechAmerica Southwest
480.607.0233 or james.garnett@techamerica.org

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

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