"The 2012 TAG Report on the state of the technology industry in Georgia underscores the continuing shortage of skilled technologists needed to drive business success. Even with sustained high unemployment across the country, technology skills remain in high demand. We need to do more — and start doing it earlier — to raise awareness of technology as a career destination for young people. The technology field is broad spectrum and highly rewarding, both in terms of the professional challenges it offers and the financial compensation it delivers, which falls well above that of an average Georgia worker." - Tim Smith, President & COO, Thompson Technologies, Inc.

Technology Industries

Georgia’s technology industries are vital to the state’s economic landscape. In this section, you will find information regarding establishment, employment and payroll growth in these industries, and how we compare to other benchmark states as well as the overall nation.

Though still recovering from the economic recession, the number of new technology establishments in Georgia has continued to grow. This is especially true in regards to the Software and IT sectors, which saw a rebound in 2011. Employment trends in these industries stabilized in 2010, but have now surged in 2011.

The telecommunications industry growth has been anything but steady over the past few years, with 2011 showing a sharp decline in the number of establishments. Employment growth in this sector continues to trend negatively, with only one showing of positive posting in the last decade.

Despite the declines within the telecommunication industries, Georgia still ranks very high in combined Internet-related and telecommunications employment by leading industry reports.

Georgia’s bioscience technology sector continues to dominate within the state, despite a slight drop in overall jobs and employment growth. Establishment growth in this sector surpassed the national average, as well as several benchmark states, for 2011.

Though the bioscience sector for the state did see a modest increase in 2011, it trails several benchmark states, as well as the national average. As with last year, several occupations within the bioscience sector for the state saw wage increases well above the national average.