About 3,500 Maryland companies -- more than half the technology companies in the state -- specialize in information technology and telecommunications, the state Department of Business and Economic Development said in a report released yesterday.

The report was the result of a study on the status of technology in Maryland. Its findings will be used as a benchmark in future measures of technology growth.

The $83,000 study, begun last year, was done in conjunction with the Greater Baltimore Committee Technology Council and the High Technology Council of Maryland. Among its other findings: In 1997, Maryland technology companies employed nearly 222,000 people, 8 percent of the state's total work force.

Technology companies' payrolls were estimated to total $10.9 billion, or 16 percent of payroll in the state.

The average wage of a technology employee was $49,000 in 1997, nearly 60 percent higher than the statewide average of $31,000.

Technology companies employed an average of 34 people last year, compared with the state average of 16.

Pub Date: 9/26/98