San Jose has the greatest share of advanced industry employment in the country. Advanced industry includes tech, engineering, and energy jobs that drive innovation. In fact, it took first by a mile. 30% of employment in the San Jose metro is in the advanced industry sector. Seattle came in second at 16% and San Francisco was in 5th with 14%.
Why is this important? Not only are these the jobs that drive economic growth in the country, but the pay is spectacular. In 2013, workers in this sector nationwide raked in an average of $90k a year. However in Silicon Valley, that number is doubled to an astounding $180k per year.
Source: SiliconBeat, Brookings Institute
I hate to be a stickler, but I don't know why this is a useful ranking. I think we'd rather be Seattle or SF and have not only more tech jobs, but more jobs total. The percentage of tech jobs may be lower, but the overall economy is larger and more diversified. Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you. It's great that San Jose has nearly 300k tech jobs, but there are only 700k other jobs. The jobs total, whatever kind they are, needs to be increased by another couple of hundred thousand.
DeleteWhy is all the focus in downtown San Jose? Why not the East Side? Our streets go from 6 lanes to 2 lanes then back to 4 lanes. King Rd goes from 4 lanes to 2 lanes around the Berryessa area Alum Rock is congested, Story Rd and Capitol is always backed up. Where is our tax money being invested? I also want to see major projects our in East San Jose. Plazas, Emma Push Ranch needs major repair and we also need more street and Freeway lights!
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