U.S. Tech Jobs Increase

James Haughey, Director of Economics, Reed Business Information -- 7/11/2005

After 13 months of essentially no change, U.S. computer and electronics manufacturers added 7,400 jobs in June, bringing total employment to 1,337,000. All other manufacturers laid off 31,400 workers.

The abrupt jump in electronics jobs may turn out to be partly a measurement error when July employment is totaled and announced a month from now. However, some hiring would be consistent with the recent strength in electronics factory orders. Orders are up 8.9 percent year-to-date through May, excluding semiconductors where orders data is not reported to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The June job gains were 3,500 at instrument manufacturers, 2,300 at computer and peripherals manufacturers and 1,600 at semiconductor and components manufacturers. Telecom equipment manufacturers also added 300 jobs.

U.S. electronic and computer manufacturers have eliminated 535,000 jobs since their employment peaked in January 2001.

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