http://www.boston.com/dailynews/159/region/N_H_well_wired_in_technology_:.shtml

N.H. well wired in technology

By Associated Press, 6/8/2001 02:16

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) New Hampshire is the most wired state in the country, with 55 percent of its residents having access to the Internet, and ranks second-highest in concentration of high-tech workers, according to a new report.

The state also came in third for the number of residents with home computers, with 64 percent of the population having one at home, according to the report.

AeA, formerly the American Electronics Association, released its annual Cyberstates report Wednesday.

''New Hampshire's high-tech industry employment accounted for 82 of every 1,000 private sector workers, the second-highest in the nation. Tech employment grew in the state by 8,500 jobs between 1994 and 2000, totaling 43,500 last year,'' the report said.

This is the second consecutive year the state has been second in the number of high-tech workers, behind Colorado.

The report shows that nationwide in 2000, technology industry employment nationwide grew at its slowest rate since 1994-95, at 4.6 percent.

It also showed there were 5.3 million high-tech industry jobs last year, an increase of 235,000 over 1999.

New Hampshire's high-tech workers are well compensated, earning an average annual wage of $56,700 in 1999, the report said.

The average high-tech salary is 75 percent higher than the average private sector wage of $32,400, according to the report.

The average high-tech wage in New Hampshire grew by 18 percent, or by $8,600, between 1994 and 1999, adjusted for inflation, according to the report.

New Hampshire also ranks ninth in defense electronics manufacturing employment with 5,000 jobs and is 12th in electronic parts and accessories manufacturing employment with 9,800 jobs.

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2001