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From: www.itworld.com
STATE SNAPSHOT: Northern California
December 12, 2000 —
Vital statistics
Population
State: 33,145,121 (ranks 1st in nation)
San Francisco Bay area: 6,816,047
Sacramento area: 1,685,812
Unemployment rate
State: 5.1% (national: 3.9%)
San Francisco: 2.4%
Sacramento: 4.0%
Median housing cost
National: $137,800
San Francisco Bay area: $465,400
Sacramento area: $142,600
Business outlook
Top industries
Technology, communications, services, tourism, manufacturing
Top tech employers
Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, Cisco Systems, Apple Computer
Economic outlook
Although slowing somewhat, the Northern California economy is still extremely
healthy. Demand for skilled IT workers continues to be very strong.
Tax situation
The state sales tax rate is 7.25 percent, but sales tax is 8.5 percent in San
Francisco. State income tax rate varies depending on income. The average property tax
rate is $1.06 per $100 of assessed value.
Local talk
"The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges to California's
continued economic prosperity and if we don't do something about this crisis, the cost
of housing will chase our workforce and our growing companies to other states where
housing is more affordable."
-- Allan Zaremberg, president, California Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento
IT salaries
San Francisco (large companies)
Vice president, IS: $270,070
IS director: $229,495
Network services: $145,119
Web resources
Association of Bay Area Governments -
This regional agency provides information on jobs, transportation, education, and
earthquakes.
SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS, RELOCATION CENTRAL, POSITIVE SUPPORT REVIEW SALARY SURVEY
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