Tech Industry Remains Vital to Pennsylvania Economy

Pennsylvania is the 9th Largest Cyberstate by Tech Employment

Clark, NJ (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 Pennsylvania's high-tech industry lost 400 net jobs in 2007, the most recent year for which state data are available. High-tech manufacturing shed 1,900 jobs, and was joined by losses in the high-tech services sector, namely communications services (-1,600 jobs) and R&D and testing labs (-300 jobs). Nevertheless, several sector did experience growth, including computer systems design and related services (+2,000 jobs) and engineering services (+1,600).

"Even after a difficult year, Pennsylvania remains among the top ten largest cyberstates which means we have a large population of high-tech workers earning wages that are 77 percent higher than the average private sector wage," said Maryann Fiala, Acting Executive Director, TechAmerica New Jersey - Pennsylvania. "Pennsylvania needs to capitalize on the federal stimulus package with investments in health IT, broadband, scientific research, and energy efficiency initiatives. These can preserve and enhance the competitiveness of our state economy and spur job growth."

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 Pennsylvania?

• 209,800 high-tech workers in 2007 (9th ranked cyberstate)
• 400 jobs lost between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 42 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007, ranked 27th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $76,100 (18th ranked), or 77% more than Pennsylvania's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $16.0 billion in 2007, ranked 10th nationwide
• 12,200 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 9th nationwide

Pennsylvania's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 5th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 10,900 jobs
• 5th in R&D and testing labs employment with 36,500 jobs
• 6th in engineering services employment with 36,000 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:
Maryann Fiala
Acting Executive Director, TechAmerica New Jersey - Pennsylvania
407.882.2425 or maryann.fiala@techamerica.org

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

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