Tech Industry Vital to Puerto Rican Economy

Puerto Rico Was the 6th Largest Cyberstate by Electromedical Equipment Manufacturing in 2007

Orlando, FL (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 Puerto Rico remained the 37th largest cyberstate employing 31,100 high-tech industry workers with a total payroll of $1.2 billion in 2007, the most current year for which state data is available. These workers are well paid for their high skills, earning 69 percent more than the average private sector worker.

"Puerto Rico's tech industry is vital to the local economy," said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director, TechAmerica Florida, which represents Puerto Rican tech companies. "Most Puerto Ricans probably don't know that we are the sixth largest location for electromedical equipment manufacturing with 4,000 workers in this field. The 2008 national data show that America's tech sector was remarkably resilient for the greater part of the year, positioning it to rebound after the recession and hopefully lead the economic recovery. Federal stimulus spending, which includes significant technology infrastructure investments, can help spur these efforts in Puerto Rico."

Puerto Rico's tech sector experienced a slowdown in employment in 2007, losing some 1,100 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 Puerto Rico?

• 31,100 high-tech workers in 2007 (37th ranked cyberstate)
• 400 jobs lost between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 42 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2006, ranked 28th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $39,000 (52nd ranked), or 69 percent more than Puerto Rico's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $1.2 billion in 2007, ranked 42nd nationwide
• 1,300 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 46th nationwide

Puerto Rico's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 6th in electromedical equipment manufacturing employment with 4,000 jobs
• 25th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 2,200 jobs
• 29th in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 2,500 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
Executive Director, TechAmerica Florida
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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