The life sciences industry is one of the largest drivers of job growth in Maryland, responsible for one-third of all job gains between 2002 and 2010, according to a report the state released Tuesday. The industry, which includes biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, supports more than 71,000 jobs at federal agencies, universities and in the private sector — or roughly 3 percent of all jobs in Maryland, the report says. In the private sector, Maryland boasts more than 1,700 life sciences establishments, which is the fifth-highest concentration in the nation.
The industry also supports some of the state’s highest-paying jobs, providing workers an average salary of more than $91,000, which is 76 percent higher than the average Maryland wage earner. Salaries among the state’s life sciences workers have grown by nearly 50 percent in the last decade.
| Where the jobs are |
| Five highest concentrations of private-sector biotech jobs in the country: |
| California |
| Wyoming |
| Louisiana |
| Massachusetts |
| Maryland |
The industry now accounts for roughly 6 percent — or $17.6 billion — of Maryland’s gross domestic product.
More than half of the state’s life sciences jobs are concentrated in Maryland’s Washington suburbs — which include Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick counties — thanks to federal agencies in those areas.
Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration support more than 40 percent of all life sciences jobs in the state.
“Maryland’s life sciences industry continues to be one of our strongest economic drivers, creating high-paying jobs even in tough times and helping to feed, fuel and heal our planet with life-saving discoveries,” Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said after his office released the report.
O’Malley, a Democrat, has been pushing for the state to invest more in research — particularly in biotechnology, medical and green energy research — since he took office in 2006. Despite his advantage of an overwhelming party majority in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate, his proposals haven’t always been met with open arms.
O’Malley’s most recent initiative, which would invest $100 million in venture capital firms, squeaked through the legislature in the last hours of the 2011 session after lawmakers pared it down to $70 million.
