Despite job losses, Colorado still No. 1 for tech workers per capita

Colorado is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the concentration of high-tech workers per capita.

In 2002, 98 of every 1,000 private-sector workers in Colorado were employed by high-tech firms. Massachusetts ranked second, with 92 high-tech workers per 1,000 private-sector employees, followed by Virginia with 90.

In other high-tech categories, however, Colorado’s ranking among states dropped, according to a report released by the American Electronics Association. The state lost 27,000 high-tech jobs, or 13 percent, between 2001 and 2002. In 2002, Colorado’s high-tech employment totaled 178,000, according to Cyberstates 2003: A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry.

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The drop in tech workers changed Colorado’s national ranking from No. 10 in high-tech jobs in 2001 to No. 12 in 2002.

Nationally, Cyberstates 2003 showed that high-tech employment fell by 540,000 jobs, dropping to 6 million in 2002.

But even during the economic slump, high-tech workers in Colorado are among the highest paid in the state. The average high-tech wage in the Colorado was $69,000 in 2001, the ninth highest nationally, and 81 percent higher that the state’s average private sector wage of $38,000.

With 11,000 high-tech companies, Colorado ranked 10th in the nation. Its $14 billion in high-tech payroll puts the state 10th as well in that category In terms of high-tech manufacturing, Colorado ranks 12th with 40,000 employees. Colorado has the fifth largest software publishing industry with 16,000 employees. Some 14,000 are employed by computer and peripheral equipment manufacturers, placing the state seventh; the state’s defense electronics manufacturers employ 3,000, making Colorado eighth in the nation.

Colorado also comes in 12th in high-tech services with 138,000 workers. With 40,000 employees, telecommunications services ranks 10th. Engineering services is also 10th, employing some 27,000. Computer systems design and related services has 36,000 employees, placing Colorado 14th.

The decline in venture capital investments has not helped the state’s technology industry. Last year, venture capital investments totaled $578 million, less than half the $1.3 billion invested in 2001. However, Colorado still ranked sixth in venture capital investments in the country.

The state also ranked high in exports. In 2002, Colorado exported more than $3 billion in high-tech goods, accounting for 57 percent of international, placing it fourth in the United States.The American Electronics Association is the one of the largest high-tech trade associations. See www.aeanet.org.

Contact Caron Schwartz Ellis at (303) 440-4950 or e-mail csellis@bcbr.com.