Electronics Group Paints Brighter High-Tech Job Picture

The high-tech industry's employment inched up in 2005, reversing sharp declines in 2004 and 2003, according to a comprehensive overview of the high-tech industry released Wednesday by the American Electronics Association (AeA).

Some 61,000 net jobs were added for a total of 5.6 million, the AeA said, noting that a four-year decline in jobs appears to have ended. High-tech employment declined by 44,700 in 2004 and by a whopping 333,000 in 2003.

"Tech industry employment only grew by one percent last year compared to two percent for the U.S. private sector as a whole," said William Archey, AeA president and CEO, in a statement. "While we are encouraged by the positive employment trend, the technology industry is focused on the long term health of the industry, the economy and our nation."

Even high-tech manufacturing showed gains last year adding some 3,300 net jobs, representing the first jobs increase in the sector since 2000. The unemployment rate for electrical engineers dropped to its lowest rate in three years – 1.5 percent – amid a prediction that almost 1 million new computer specialists and 200,000 new engineers will be needed for the job force in the future.

Software services added some 43,400 jobs while engineering and tech services added 57,000 in 2005.California led the nation in total high-tech jobs with 904,000 followed by Texas with 435,400, New York, 300,700; Florida, 265,500; and Virginia, 253,300.

The AeA report, part of its comprehensive Cyberstates survey, examines the high-tech industry state-by-state and includes data on venture capital investments and R&D expenditures.