While the number of technology jobs is increasing across the country, Georgia may lose its status as a highly ranked cyberstate, according to a report on state and national trends in high-tech employment.

The report, “Cyberstates 2007: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry,” said that although Georgia remained the 11th-largest cyberstate with 162,500 high-tech workers, it suffered a net loss of 900 tech jobs in that same period — half of 1 percent of the total tech work force. The largest job losses were in telecommunication services with a loss of 2,400 jobs and Internet services with a loss of 1,600 jobs.

Sponsored by AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association, the report suggests Georgia’s cyberstate ranking may be at risk. Although in-state tech jobs continue to decline, out-of-state tech jobs are on the rise, a trend that raises these states in the rankings. Georgia was the only state in the Southeast that lost technology jobs in 2005.

In contrast, two neighboring states had the top five job gains nationally with North Carolina adding over 7,500 jobs and Florida gaining over 10,500, according to the report.

While these figures aren’t promising for the state, two important sectors did experience growth. Venture capital investments rose by 44 percent and the number of high-tech establishments increased by 252, or 2.2 percent, according to the report.

“Tech industry job losses in Georgia were the smallest they have been since the challenging days of 2001,” said Sandra Hofmann, chair of the AeA’s Southeast Council. “And it is encouraging that many tech sectors — in both manufacturing and services —are growing. Add to this the fact that venture capital investments and the number of new companies rose, and Georgia is poised for future growth, but we must take action to achieve that growth.”

Ms. Hofmann suggested graduating more scientists and engineers from such high-caliber institutions as the Georgia Institute of Technology, and keeping these graduates in-state and in the United States. She also suggested improving math and science curricula in public schools to prepare students to enter and be successful in the cybermarket.

“Cyberstates 2007” is an annual report that compiles the most current data available for employment, wages, payroll, establishment and industry sector jobs.