Tech industry in Arizona continues its impressive growth
The State Added 5,127 Technology Jobs and the Median Technology Occupation Wages are 94 Percent Higher Than the Median National Wage in 2018
Revealing the impressive growth and impact of the technology sector in Arizona and the U.S., Arizona Technology Council partner CompTIA released its Cyberstates 2019 report, the definitive annual analysis of the nation’s tech industry. The report shows a number of significant growth areas in Arizona’s technology economy, including a year-over-year (YoY) net technology job gain of 5,127 and a YoY 174 percent increase in emerging technology job postings. The report also states that Arizona’s median technology occupation wage is 94 percent higher than the median national wage and estimates the technology community directly contributes 10.5 percent of its output value ($31.3 billion) to the state’s total economy.
“CompTIA’s annual Cyberstates report validates the excitement and momentum that we witness every day in Arizona’s technology sector,” said Steve Zylstra, the Council’s president and CEO. “Our state’s advocates and leaders have worked hard to create an environment for large technology firms and startups to thrive. These efforts have resulted in significant technology talent growth, higher wages and a large economic impact.”
The report also identified data for the top technology cities in the nation. Key findings for Phoenix’s technology community include:
- Ranked 15th among major technology cities in net technology employment
- Ranked 19th among major technology cities in economic impact
- Added 4,044 technology jobs from 2017 to 2018
- Experienced a 184 percent increase in emerging technology job postings
- Recorded employment increases of at least 2.8 percent in the technology industry sectors of telecommunications and Internet services, software (packaged), and IT services and custom software services
The Council plays a leading role in advocating on behalf of its membership for policies that propel success and sustainability in the technology industry. Recent public policy initiatives have contributed significantly to the state’s overall technology growth, including:
- Recapitalization of the Angel Investor Tax Credit
- Extension and continued expansion of the R&D Tax Credit program until 2021
- Ongoing efforts to improve STEM education funding, programs and curriculum
- Support for legislation that enhances Association Health Plans in order to provide small business with better access to flexible and affordable healthcare
Cyberstates 2019 is based on CompTIA’s analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Emsi and other sources. The complete report with full national, state and metropolitan level data is available at http://www.cyberstates.org/.