Tech Industry Remains Critical to Wisconsin Economy

Wisconsin Ranks 3rd in the Nation in Electromedical Equipment Manufacturing Employment

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 Wisconsin's high-tech industry added 3,600 jobs, for a total of 85,100 jobs in 2007, the most current year for which state data are available. Wisconsin's tech industry jobs pay 67 percent more than the average private sector wage.

"The fact that Wisconsin's tech industry was still adding jobs in 2007, on the eve of the economic downturn we are currently experiencing, is a tribute to its strength, said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, TechAmerica Midwest. "Hopefully it is a sign that we will be able to emerge from the recession to return to job growth. State government officials need to be proactive in attracting federal stimulus dollars to the state, many of which are targeted toward technology investments in broadband infrastructure, health IT, and energy efficiency."

"Tech industry jobs here in Wisconsin pay 67 percent more than the average private sector job, making them critical to the well-being of the state economy in good times and even more so at present. The silver lining in these tough times is the potential for the economic stimulus to create more of these high-paying jobs through investment in health IT, broadband, and a smart energy grid."

Wisconsin's 2007 tech economy growth was dispersed across a variety of sectors. The largest growth occurred in the computer systems design and related services sector, adding 1,300 net jobs, followed by engineering services (+700 jobs), communications services (+200), and R&D and testing labs (+200). Also faring well was Wisconsin's high-tech manufacturing sector (+500 jobs), driven primarily by job gains in electromedical equipment manufacturing, ranked 3rd nationwide.

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 Wisconsin?

• 85,100 high-tech workers in 2007 (21st ranked cyberstate)
• 3,600 jobs added between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 35 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2006, ranked 35th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $63,100 (36th ranked), or 67 percent more than Wisconsin's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $5.4 billion in 2007, ranked 22nd nationwide
• 4,800 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 23rd nationwide

Wisconsin's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3rd in electromedical equipment manufacturing employment with 6,300 jobs
• 9th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 7,300 jobs
• 13th in software publishers employment with 5,500 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:
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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