The Tech Alliance relaeased a study today saying that 381,546 people work at tech companies, accounting for 13 percent of the state's jobs.

Those jobs pay an average salary of $110,145, compared with the state average of $57,654 according to the study, prepared for the Seattle-based trade group by William Beyers at the University of Washington. It's based on data from late 2008 and early 2009.

Verdiem Chief Executive Jeremy Jaech, who presented the findings at the alliance's luncheon today at the Seattle Sharaton, said high-growth tech companies will lead the state out of its downturn.

He also called on the state to do a better job supporting education, and said the Tech Alliance is going to step up its lobbying in concert with other tech trade groups, the WTIA and Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.

"We need a course correction. We are not going to starve our way to excellence here," he said.

The Alliance of Angels used the luncheon to announce that advanced materials company Modumetal is its company of the year.

The announcement preceded a speech by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen, author of the "The Innovator's Dilemma."