AEA Report Highlights Success of California's Technology Industry

In a recent paper titled Cyberstates Report, the American Electronics Association (AEA) analyzed the status of the high technology industry in each of the fifty states. The report found the high technology industry to be the nation's largest manufacturing employer, accounting for 11 percent of the GDP. As expected, California led the states in high technology activity in 1995. With more than 669,000 Californians working in high-tech companies, the number doubled that of the nearest state, Texas with 313,000. Perhaps more important than the number of employees was the high-wage nature of the positions. On average, California high-tech workers earned $55,160 a year, compared to an overall average private sector wage of $30,021. California was also the leading state from a trade perspective. In 1995, the state's high-tech exports exceeded $58 billion, accounting for more than 60% of all manufactured exports from the state. AEA is selling the report for $195 (202-682-9111).

Volume 4, Bulletin 15 -- May 1, 1997