Santa Clara, Calif. - California continues to lead the nation in terms of number of high-tech workers (940,700), venture capital investments ($13.8 billion) and research and development expenditures ($60.5 billion), according to the 11th annual Cyberstates report released on Tuesday by high-tech trade association AeA.

The state's high-tech industry added 21,400 net jobs in 2006 -- a 2% increase -- marking the second net increase in jobs since the tech bubble began to burst in 2000.

California's tech workers also had the highest average wage at $101,200, which is 112% above the state's average private sector wage, and venture capital investments in the state accounted for 47% of all VC in the country.

"The people and leaders of California -- and Silicon Valley in particular -- continue to find new ways to innovate and new industries to develop," said Deirdre Hanford, the chairman of AeA.

"However, maintaining the Valley as the preeminent high-tech hub in the state, the country and the world will depend on a number of variables. These include maximizing the skills of a diverse workforce, improving the quality of our education system, and investing in research and new technologies, such as green technology."

Related Links:
http://www.aeanet.org/PressRoom/prjj_cs2008_california_ba.asp