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CompTIA Cyberstates 2020™ report reveals tech’s impact in the Evergreen State

Olympia, Wash. – Information technology (IT) employment in Washington grew by more than 14,000 net new jobs in 2019, capping a decade in which the state’s tech-related labor force expanded by nearly 100,000 workers, according to Cyberstates 2020™, the definitive guide to the U.S. tech industry, occupations and trends published annually by CompTIA, the leading trade association for the global IT industry.

Net tech employment increased by an estimated 14,281 workers in 2019, up 3.8% over 2018, and more new jobs than any other industry added to the state’s economy last year.[1]

Between 2010 and 2019 tech employment in Washington grew by nearly 34%. Tech-related workers now make up an 10.7% of the state’s workforce.

At $103.5 billion the tech sector accounts for just over 20% of the state’s economy, the highest percentage among all 50 states. Tech’s economic impact in Washington is also greater than any other industry.

“Technology powered job growth and economic gains in the past decade in Washington and across the county while delivering countless benefits in how we work, communicate, create and share,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA.

“Looking ahead, the need for professionals from all backgrounds to develop, support, and protect these technologies will continue to grow,” Thibodeaux added. “In these trying times it is often difficult to think beyond today, but we must remain committed to preparing the workforce of tomorrow for success in whatever the future may hold.”

Washington ranks sixth in the total number of jobs added last year, seventh in the year-over-year percentage increase in tech jobs from 2018 to 2019 and 11th nationally in total net tech employment.

“The labor market for technology professionals was extremely tight during 2019, with unemployment nationwide at historic lows throughout periods of the year,” said Tim Herbert, executive vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. “This speaks to the broad-based demand for tech talent across regions, industries and employers looking to capitalize on innovation that was once in the realm of science fiction, but increasingly reality.”

In fact, positions in emerging technologies accounted for 22.4% of all tech job postings in Washington last year.

More from Cyberstates 2020

• The Seattle metropolitan area added 88,000 tech-related jobs between 2010 and 2019, an increase of 39%.
• In 2019 net tech employment in Seattle increased by 12,605 positions, the fourth highest total among metro areas.
• At 313,000 workers, Seattle ranks ninth nationally in total net tech employment.
• The Seattle tech sector is responsible for an estimated $96.3 billion in economic activity – the fourth largest amount among metro areas – and accounts for 26.3% of the region’s economy, the third highest percentage in the U.S.
• The estimated median tech occupation wage in Washington is $102,105, 97% higher than the median wage for all occupations in the state.

Cyberstates 2020 is based on CompTIA’s analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), Burning Glass Technologies, Hoovers and other sources.     

Visit https://www.cyberstates.org/ for the latest data on the economic and employment impact of the U.S. tech industry.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.

Contact:

Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
630-678-8468
sostrowski@comptia.org­
www.comptia.org