Wages, job growth strong along Digital Corridor

In its sixth annual wage and job growth survey, the Charleston Digital Corridor reported that the average wage for reporting Digital Corridor companies in 2008 is $76,144.

That figure is more than double the average annual wage for South Carolina and the Charleston-North Charleston metropolitan statistical area. Companies participating in the survey also reported employment growth of 213 employees over the past 12 months, the Charleston Digital Corridor said.

“It is wonderful to be reporting these numbers today,” said Director Ernest Andrade. “Our companies have approximately 273 career opportunities posted on the Digital Corridor’s talent portal. With increased capital inflows into Digital Corridor companies, I predict that Charleston’s knowledge economy will hold its own in 2009.”

The Digital Corridor is a creative initiative to attract, nurture and promote Charleston’s knowledge economy through technology and business incentives, private business support and member-driven programming.

The latest data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2007 reports the average wage in the Charleston-North Charleston statistical metropolitan/non-metropolitan area is $35,540, and South Carolina’s average wage for all occupations is $34,650.

“The results of the Digital Corridor’s 2008 Wage and Job Growth survey demonstrate that our knowledge economy is strong,” Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said. “The recently announced partnership between the Medical University (of South Carolina), South Carolina Research Authority and the city of Charleston to develop an Innovation Center in downtown Charleston demonstrates the city’s commitment to leveraging our assets to strengthen and grow Charleston’s innovation economy.”