Tech sector accounts for 63% of the value of Idaho´s exports

The technology sector is important to Idaho´s exports, representing
63 percent of the value of all exports. The state has one of the
nation´s highest percentages of exports coming from high-tech firms:

New Mexico: 79 percent

Vermont: 73 percent

Idaho: 63 percent

Colorado: 59 percent

Massachusetts: 53 percent

The Idaho Statesman

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High-tech workers make twice as much as others, on average

Julie Howard
The Idaho Statesman

The average high-tech worker´s salary surged during the good times
of 2000, with profit-sharing bonuses and the cashing in of stock
options driving average wages up to $66,457 in Idaho.

That was a hearty 22 percent increase in average wages from the
previous year, when income averaged $52,084, according to a report
just released by the American Electronics Association.

Numbers for 2001 aren´t available, but tech wages aren´t expected to
suffer too much from last year´s economic slowdown. Tech workers
are still expected to earn more than twice as much as the average
non-tech employee in the state. Average private sector wages in
Idaho were $27,630 in 2000, the AEA report said.

While 2001 saw layoffs and pay cuts, AEA senior researcher Matthew Kazmierczak does not
anticipate a return to 2000´s wage levels.

“Wages are sticky; they don´t tend to go down,” Kazmierczak said.

“And there´s not the competition for jobs in Idaho like there is in the Silicon Valley,”
suggesting employers here would have a harder time finding qualified tech employees willing
to work for lower wages.

Key technology employees received bonuses to stay during last year´s insecure market,
adding to wages earned, said Chris Gebhardt, president of the executive recruiting firm,
Human Oxygen.

“Some people were being wined and dined to stay in their position,” Gebhardt said. “Some
companies were offering some sort of bonus structure to stay.”

Those incentives dried up toward the middle of 2001, she said, and the year ended with many
companies cutting executive pay to stem expenses.

SCP Global Technologies just this week ended a pay cut to employees earning more than
$60,000, although company directors will continue with a reduced salary. The company also
has started hiring engineers and scientists after laying off hundreds of workers last year.

Even though many tech workers have seen starting salaries fall, SCP doesn´t plan to drop its
salary ranges.

“We´re making a conscious decision to compete and get the best talent,” said John Johnson,
vice president of human resources for SCP, adding that his firm has 24 technical positions
currently open. “The human equation is going to be a big factor when the ramp up occurs.
This is an opportunity for us to upgrade our skillset.”

Idaho´s average tech wage in 2000 was elevated by Micron Technology, according to
Kazmierczak, the AEA researcher.

The average wage for Idaho semiconductor workers in 2000 was $81,600 while those making
computers and office equipment earned an average of $73,400. Those in the electronic
components segment averaged $32,100, and workers in the communications services sector
averaged $36,500.

To offer story ideas or comments, contact Julie Howard
[email protected] or 373-6618

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