(9 20 2024) August jobs up 1.8 percent from August 2023

August jobs up 1.8 percent from August 2023

Sept. 20, 2024
No. 24-20

JUNEAU, Alaska - August's statewide job count was up by 6,400, or 1.8 percent, from last August.

Federally funded infrastructure projects and North Slope oil and gas projects contributed to over-the-year growth, boosting construction by 2,600 jobs, professional and business services by 1,000, and the transportation, warehousing and utilities sector by 500. Oil and gas also added 500 jobs.

Health care was up by 2,000 jobs over the year. Strong visitor numbers supported leisure and hospitality growth (100 jobs) and retail stability and contributed to transportation employment gains.

While most industries added jobs, seafood processing disruptions drove losses in manufacturing (-1,300), and the information sector continued its long-term downward trend (-200).

Federal government was up by 500 jobs, local government added 200, and state government remained flat.

Alaska's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in August and the U.S. rate was 4.2 percent. Both have risen slightly over the last year but remain well below historical averages.