The American Electronics Association (AEA) has announced the findings of its second annual ``Cyberstates Update'' report. The findings show that Illinois' high tech industry is the nation's fourth largest with 199,000 jobs. According to the report, high tech workers in Illinois earned an average of $47,000 in 1996, 52 percent higher than the state's average private sector wage of $31,000.

"By surpassing Massachusetts for fourth place in the high-tech derby, Illinois is just starting to achieve its rightful prominence as a top high tech competitor, particularly in communications,'' said AEA Midwest Council Chair Harold Anagnos, President and CEO, Lumex Opto/Components.

AEA's ``Cyberstates Update'' reports that Illinois is a leader in high-tech employment growth, having added 17,000 new jobs to the state economy between 1990 and 1996, a 10 percent increase.

New "Cyberstates'' data show that Illinois is the second-ranked state in communications equipment and electronic components. The state also ranks third in industrial electronics. Together these segments employed 81,000 workers.

William T. Archey, AEA President and CEO, held a press conference on Capitol Hill today to release the findings of AEA's "Cyberstates Update'' report. "Nationally, the high-tech industry created 490,000 new jobs since 1990, totaling 4.5 million in 1997, demonstrating that the high tech industry has arrived,'' said Archey.

"Cyberstates Update'' measures the economic importance of high tech in each state, using the most recent U.S. government data on jobs, establishments, payroll, wages, and exports. The report includes one-page overviews for all 50 states and the District of Columbia detailing these statistics along with growth and leading industry segments. ``Cyberstates Update'' is the sister publication to AEA's recently released national ``Cybernation'' report.

The American Electronics Association (AEA), founded in 1943, is the grassroots voice of the high tech industry. "Cyberstates Update'' is available for sale on AEA's homepage at www.aeanet.org or by calling customer service at 800-284-4232 or 408-987-4200. Cost: $95 AEA members; $190 non-members.

What does high tech mean for Illinois?

• 198,899 high-tech workers (4th ranked cyberstate), adding some 9,400 jobs since 1995, an increase of 5%
• A high-tech payroll of $9.4 billion (4th ranked nationwide)
• A high-tech average wage of $47,447, 52% more than private sector workers
• 7,810 high-tech business establishments, up from 4,361 in 1990
• High tech employs 41 of every 1,000 private sector workers in Illinois
• High-tech exports totaled $15.2 billion in 1997, an increase of 84% since 1990
• High tech represents over half of all exports from Illinois in 1997
• Illinois is the nation's 2nd ranked cyberstate in electronic components and accessories manufacturing employment with 28,500 jobs
• Illinois ranks 2nd nationally in communications equipment manufacturing employment with 33,900 jobs
• Illinois ranks 3rd in industrial electronics manufacturing employment with 18,300 jobs