Technology
Quick Stats
- Washington is the largest employer of software publishing workers in the U.S.
- Washington ranks first in the nation in the creation of new software companies
- King County is home to Microsoft, Amazon.com, Expedia, as well as engineering and operations for Google, Facebook, Intel, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, Yahoo!, and Adobe
- Washington State is a leader in RFID technology
Seattle/King County is home of the most recognizable names in the software and information technology industry. These pioneers include Microsoft, Nintendo, Amazon.com, RealNetworks, T-Mobile, Expedia, and many more. This means that not only is our local community strongly focused on technology, but that we have one of the highest concentrations of technology expertise in the country.
An economy steeped in technology.
With such a strong base of businesses, it is no surprise that information technology is one of the largest employment clusters in the region, directly supporting over 100,000 jobs. Our region has many strengths in the IT sector, including: software development and publishing; interactive media development and technologies; RFID; and wireless technologies and applications.
A key region for growth.
The rich pool of talent has led other major companies, such as Google and Facebook, to identify the region as a key location for future growth. It is also critical to helping the region establish an edge in new sectors—in particular, the Puget Sound is increasingly recognized as an international hub in the $42 billion-plus interactive media sector. In 2007, the region had more than 150 interactive media companies and a 14 percent global market share in this industry. At current market share, and considering the significant growth projected, the EDC estimates this sector could bring $10 billion to the region by 2012.