November’s job count increased 2.4% compared to November 2020, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which is an increase of 7,200 jobs, but still 13,100 below the same month in 2019.
Leisure and hospitality employment was up 3,200 from last November, but down 3,700 from November 2019. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector was up by 800 jobs over the year and still 1,500 below 2019. Oil and gas totaled 6,700 – 600 above year-ago levels but more than 3,100 below November 2019.
Local government had 700 more jobs than last November but 2,200 fewer than the year before, mainly in public education. State government employment fell 500 below last year and 700 short of 2019. Many public schools and university campuses operated remotely during the 2019-2020 school year, but this school year began mostly in person. Federal employment was down 200 from last year, with the end of the 2020 Census, and on par with 2019.
Kenai Peninsula Borough’s unemployment rate in November was 6.5%, compared to 7.9% in November 2020. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 6.0% in November. The comparable U.S. rate declined to 4.2%.
