December’s job count was 2.7 percent higher than December 2020, an increase of 8,000 jobs but still 12,400 below the same month in 2019, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The leisure and hospitality sector had 3,300 more jobs than last December and 4,500 fewer than December 2019. The trade, transportation and utilities sector was up by 1,500 jobs over the year and still 500 below 2019. Oil and gas had 7,100 total jobs — 700 above year-ago levels but more than 3,000 below the previous year.
Local government was up by 600 jobs but down 2,200 from the previous December, mainly in public education. State government employment fell 700 below last year’s level and 500 short of 2019. Most public schools and university campuses have operated in person so far this school year after a remote 2020-2021. However, total state government employment fell over the year with the phase-out of temporary pandemic-related positions. Federal employment was up 100 from December 2020 and 400 above 2019.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.7 percent in December. The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s unemployment rate decreased to 6.6 percent in December, compared to 6.7 percent in November and 7.9 percent in December 2020.
The comparable U.S. rate declined to 3.9 percent.
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