Employment levels throughout the US technology sector increased in 2008 by 1.3 per cent, according to new figures released by TechAmerica.

The lobbying group, which is made up 1,500 US businesses, disclosed that the industry employed 5.9 million workers last year, which is up 77,000 jobs from 2007.

Witnessing growth for a fourth consecutive year, the Cyberstates report includes manufacturing, communications, software, engineering and general technology positions.

Christopher Hansen, chief executive of TechAmerica, suggested that Barack Obama's federal stimulus package would facilitate continued recruitment growth in 2009.

He said: "While we suffered losses in the fourth quarter, our industry has weathered the storm better than most, and the results of our report indicate that the tech industry is well positioned to help lead America's economic recovery."

TechAmerica is an industry trade group formed by the merger of the Information Technology Association of America and AeA.

This growth occurred despite overall unemployment levels in the US reaching their highest levels since 1983, with the jobless rate now totalling 8.5 per cent of the population.© Adfero Ltd