High Tech Jobs are Increasing in Northeast Ohio

Developing a strong high tech industry sector in the region is an important element in advancing both Northeast Ohio business growth and talent development.  Recent data released by our partner in Advance Northeast Ohio, NorTech, shows the high tech industry not only growing, but growing faster than other industries in the region.

According to the data, collected for NorTech’s annual analysis of the Northeast Ohio high tech economy, 181,190 jobs were credited to the high tech sector in 2008, representing 9.1% of the region’s economy. Between 2004 and 2008, Northeast Ohio’s high tech employment grew 3.7%, and added 6,499 jobs, while employment in Northeast Ohio’s non high tech industries declined 1.4% and lost 25,670 jobs. Average wages in Northeast Ohio’s high tech industries are $70,075 which is almost double those wages in Northeast Ohio’s non- high tech industries at $37,297.

These numbers are a positive sign that the region is investing capital in the right areas, but the work is not done, according to NorTech president and CEO Dorthy Baunach.

“The recent high tech employment numbers are encouraging and energizing. Northeast Ohio is benefitting from public and private support and our high tech economy is growing as a result. But, our job is not done; Ohio must continue to invest in research, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, venture capital formation and education to compete globally. We need to attract more federal dollars to complement our state investments,” she said.

NorTech's full report on the region's high tech economy will be released this fall. Click here to download the recently released data.