Tech Industry Remains Vital to Ohio Economy

Computer Systems Design and Related Services Led 2007 Employment Growth

Oakbrook Terrace, IL (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 Ohio's high-tech industry gained a net 4,700 jobs in 2007, the most current year for which state data are available, for an industry total of 159,900 jobs. These jobs are well paid. Tech industry workers made $67,200 in 2007 - 71 percent more than the state's average private sector wage.

"Ohio's tech industry grew for the third year in a row in 2007, indicating its fundamental strength on the brink of the worst economic downturn we've seen in years," said John Bair, Chairman and Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Pinnacle Data Systems, Inc. "The national data show that the U.S. tech industry fared better than the private sector economy as a whole in 2008. High-tech jobs in the Buckeye state are high-paying, and we hope that by making investments in health IT, broadband, scientific research, and a smart energy grid, as outlined in the federal stimulus package, we can attract and create more of these jobs, simultaneously leading the broader economy out of recession. Ohio will be leaning heavily on high tech in the months to come."

Driven by significant gains in sectors such as computer systems design and related services (+4,900 jobs) and engineering services (+600 jobs), Ohio experienced a third year of technology employment growth in 2007. High-tech manufacturing remained steady, neither contracting or expanding significantly.

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 Ohio?

• 159,900 high-tech workers in 2007 (14th ranked cyberstate)
• 4,700 jobs added between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 35 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, ranked 36th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $67,200 (30th ranked), or 71 percent more than Ohio's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $10.8 billion in 2007, ranked 16th nationwide
• 11,100 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 12th nationwide

Ohio's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 10th in computer systems design and related services employment with 49,100 jobs
• 10th in communications services employment with 37,500 jobs
• 10th in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 7,800 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:
Ed Longanecker
Executive Director, TechAmerica Midwest
630.613.7174 or ed.longanecker@techamerica.org

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

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