There are 6,400 more Alaskans working than this same time last year, reports the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
According to data produced by the DOWLD, the statewide employment rate was up 1.9 percent from June 2022. That number is an aggregate combination of percentages from the different regions of the state. Southeast Alaska had the highest net positive change, with an increase of 2.6 percent; Southwest the lowest, dropping 1% since last year. Southcentral Alaska saw just a .6 percent rise in employment.
Breaking the DOWLD data down by industry, the numbers are consistent with the arrival of summertime in Alaska, if slightly better as the country continues to overcome the economic impacts of COVID-19. Leisure and hospitality added 2,200 jobs over the year and exceeded pre-pandemic employment as the visitor season moved into full swing – the cruise industry anticipates a record 1.6 million passengers this season.
Oil and gas jobs are up 5.4 percent, adding 400 jobs since 2022, and construction employment rose 1.6 percent with an additional 300 employees added across the workforce. Professional and business services added 600 jobs over the year, as did health care and retail.
Nearly all Alaska industries grew or remained flat, with two exceptions. The financial services sector and information were down 200 and 100 jobs, respectively. Both have been shedding jobs since their peaks in the 2000s as automation and other technology have reduced the need for labor.
The public sector added jobs over the year, led by federal government (+600). Local government, which includes public schools, was up by 500 jobs and state government by 200. Federal government has exceed pre-pandemic levels, but state and local government remain below.
Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in June and the comparable U.S. rate was 3.6 percent.