U.S. Semiconductor Industry Supports More Than 1 Million American Jobs

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, announced that the U.S. semiconductor industry supports more than 1 million American jobs throughout the U.S. economy, in addition to the industry's 244,800 direct jobs. Each direct semiconductor industry job enables 4.89 jobs in other sectors of the economy, according to an analysis of government data.

"The U.S. semiconductor industry supports more than 1 million American jobs, drives economic growth and leads the global market, but our competitors abroad are working hard to attract the world's top innovators and job-creators," said Brian Toohey, SIA president and CEO. "To ensure that semiconductor design and manufacturing continue to thrive here in the U.S., we must invest in basic research, welcome the top scientific minds from around the world, and ease economic uncertainty by getting our country's fiscal house in order."

Recently released employment data illustrate the semiconductor industry's far-reaching ripple effect on the broader U.S. economy. The industry's employment multiplier of 4.89 is higher than that of many other industries, including the construction industry (1.90), the communications industry (2.52), and the automobile industry (4.64). The employment multiplier for the overall manufacturing sector is 2.91. For more detailed information and methodology, please view SIA's Employment Issue Paper at www.semiconductors.org.

"As the source of more than 1 million American jobs, the semiconductor industry is critical to America's strength," said Ajit Manocha, SIA chairman and CEO of Global Foundries. "Our industry is a primary driver of U.S. job creation, manufacturing and global competitiveness, but America's continued leadership of the semiconductor industry is not guaranteed. Without smart, proactive policies from our leaders in Washington, this great American success story is in danger of slipping away."

SIA is working to encourage Congress and the Administration to take prompt action on policy initiatives -- such as high-skilled immigration reform, corporate tax reform, and support for scientific research -- that spur growth in manufacturing and technology industries.

About the SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America's economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. Semiconductors -- microchips that control all modern electronics -- enable the systems and products that we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2012, U.S. semiconductor sales totaled more than $146 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. Founded in 1977 by five microelectronics pioneers, SIA unites companies that account for 80 percent of America's semiconductor production. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor design and manufacturing by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.