CHARLESTON, SC - October 11, 2007 - The Charleston Digital Corridor is pleased to report that the average wage for reporting Digital Corridor companies in 2007 is $83,256. This figure is approximately 2.5 times the average annual wage for the State of South Carolina and 2.4 times the Charleston-North Charleston statistical metropolitan area. The companies that participated in this survey also reported employment growth of 750 employees over the past twelve months.

The latest data available from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2006) reports the average wage in the Charleston-North Charleston statistical metropolitan area (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties) is $34,370 while South Carolina's average wage for all occupations is $33,400.

"The recent capital investment in knowledge-based companies in Charleston along with the competitive wages and robust employment growth at these companies speaks to the current strength of this segment of our economy," said Charleston Digital Corridor Director, Ernest Andrade. "With over 400 career opportunities currently available in Digital Corridor companies, I predict yet another banner year for Charleston's knowledge economy in 2008."

"The Charleston Digital Corridor 2007 Wage survey demonstrates what I have always known to be true: we have the means in Charleston to attract and grow successful knowledge-based businesses," Mayor Joseph P. Riley stated. "It is my commitment to the community to continue to reinforce the growth of the knowledge economy by supporting forward thinking as it relates to infrastructure and development."

About the Charleston Digital Corridor:

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

Contact:
Ernest Andrade
843.724.3773
ernest@charlestondigitalcorridor.com