JUNEAU, Alaska — September’s statewide job count was up by 6,700, or 2.0 percent, from September 2023.
Federally funded infrastructure and North Slope oil and gas projects contributed to over-the-year growth, boosting construction (2,000 jobs), professional and business services (700), and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (900). Oil and gas also added 600 jobs.
Health care’s growth remained strong, up 2,000 jobs from last September.
Most industries added jobs, but seafood processing disruptions drove losses in manufacturing (-800). The information sector continued its long-term trend of small losses (-200), and retail employment declined by 100.
The federal government’s job count was up by 600, the state government added 400, and the local government decreased by 400.
Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.6 percent in September, and the comparable U.S. rate dipped to 4.1 percent.
Unemployment on the Kenai Peninsula is virtually the same as in September 2023, at 4.2% compared to 4.3% last year.
Anchorage unemployment dropped to 3.4%.