Number of high-tech jobs: 316,971

High-tech payroll: $31.2 billion

Average wage: $98,541

Area employers: InterActive, Viacom, Google, Verizon Communications

This fall, Basking Ridge (N.J.)-based telco Verizon Wireless announced it will add 900 jobs, citing increased demand for mobile devices. Last year's tech employment picture wasn't as bright: The New York metro area added some positions in research and development and testing, but overall job growth in the sector fell 2 percent, year-over-year. Local companies specializing in computer system design and telecommunications services let even more workers go, so the metro area lost 8,700 jobs. Still, the average local techie's wages were 51 percent higher than those of the average private sector employee.