America lost high-tech industry jobs in 2010

Most of America lost high-tech industry jobs in 2010 and Ohio was no exception.

The Buckeye State lost 1,400 high-tech jobs last year, according to the 14th annual TechAmerica Foundation Cyberstates report.

Internet and telecommunication services sector jobs declined by 1,600 positions. Engineering services and research and development jobs fell by 300 jobs each.

“Ohio’s tech industry lost jobs in 2010 as did the vast majority of states in the midst of continued economic downturn, but there were signs for optimism,” said Ed Longanecker, executive director and regional vice president of TechAmerica Midwest, in a statement. “Software services is a high-paying growth sector, and Ohio saw solid job gains in both computer systems design and software publishers.”

Computer systems design jobs rose by 1,200 in 2010. Software publishing jobs gained 300 positions.

Ohio now has 162,900 high-tech jobs. Those workers earn an average salary of $68,600, 72 percent higher than the state’s average private sector worker.

Overall the U.S. lost 115,800 high-tech jobs last year, down 2 percent compared to 2009. There are 5.75 million high-tech industry jobs nationwide.