High-tech jobs on rise, report shows
BYLINE: Paul Monies, Business Writer
High-tech jobs in Oklahoma have grown by 15 percent in the last two years and pay almost twice as much as the state's average salary, according to a new report.
The 129,700 jobs - which include everything from scientists and engineers to computer technicians - account for 8.7 percent of the state's total employment, the state Commerce Department said. High-tech jobs stood at more than 112,000 in 2005.
"I think the diversity of employment we are beginning to see in the high-tech sector in Oklahoma is worth noting," said Sheri Stickley, the department's chief of administrative operations.
Stickley said that diversity ranged from oil and gas exploration to scientific research and development. The state also has sizeable employment in advanced manufacturing, bioscience and management of science and consulting, she said.
The report defined high-tech employment as jobs in industries that spend a higher amount than average on research and development and employ a higher proportion of scientific, technical and engineering employees.
Driven by large gains in the oil and gas sector, average pay for high-tech jobs in Oklahoma jumped to $65,302, up from $50,100 in 2005, the department said. The average salary for all jobs in Oklahoma is $33,592.
Pay in the oil and gas sector averaged $145,665, which skewed the overall average salaries. Excluding higher pay among energy jobs, high-tech jobs in Oklahoma paid an average of $50,974, Stickley said. That compared to a national average of $77,319 in high-tech jobs.
In the last two years, high-tech employment in Oklahoma has increased by more than 17,500 jobs. That's creating demand for higher-level skills among employees.
"These types of companies are creating just the kinds of jobs that are keeping college grads in Oklahoma," Stickley said.
Stickley pointed to a recent report by the State Regents for Higher Education that showed the percentage of college students staying in Oklahoma a year after graduation has grown to 90 percent, up from 80 percent in 2005.
Still, Oklahoma needs to improve its record in attracting talent and capital to keep growing high-tech jobs, she said.
"Oklahoma needs to continue to focus its efforts on the kinds of skills those companies need, both today and in the future," Stickley said. "We need to be sure we're training our work force to be prepared for those kinds of jobs."
The report's author, Jon Chiappe, said Oklahoma compared favorably to almost all surrounding states, except Texas, in the proportion of employment in high-tech jobs.
Paul Monies: 475-3730, pmonies@oklahoman.com