Study: Wisconsin Benefits from Bioscience Industry

A study by Bioforward, an association of biotechnology companies in Wisconsin, shows a growing bioscience industry with high-paying jobs over the past few years, in contrast to other industries in the state. The analysis covers the period of 2004 through 2009.

The bioscience industry, as defined by Bioforward, includes employers in four industry sub-sectors: agricultural feedstock and chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals; medical devices and equipment; and research, testing, and medical laboratories. Under that definition, there were 647 bioscience firms in Wisconsin at the end of 2009, operating in 751 different establishments.

The findings show bioscience is a growing industry in Wisconsin between 2004 and 2009, while much of the rest of the state’s economy contracted. Between 2004 and 2009, the number of bioscience industry business establishments grew by 19 percent, with average earnings per worker also rising by 19 percent. During this period. total bioscience employment grew by 3 percent in contrast to the rest of the state economy that shrunk by over 3 percent.

By the end of 2009, the state’s 647 bioscience firms employed 23,919 workers with a direct payroll of $1.653 billion. Adding in research and related staff at Wisconsin universities raises the Wisconsin bioscience employment to 28,389 workers.

The report also indicates that bioscience is a source of high-paying jobs. The average earnings per worker in Wisconsin bioscience companies were $69,096 in 2009, 64 percent higher than the statewide Wisconsin average of $42,117.

Photo: Anssi Koskinen