When it comes to finding work in today’s tough economic climate, Alaska employment offers job seekers a wealth of stable, well-paid career opportunities. The Last Frontier State has some of the highest mean wages in the United States, coupled with a high per capita income.
A steady rate of growth ensures Alaskan infrastructure has room for further development, which is inevitable as local oil and gas companies continue to expand. Alaska employment presents a diverse array of potential jobs available in a range of industries, including oil and natural gas, manufacturing, forestry, mining, commercial fishing and tourism.
Alaska unemployment
Alaska unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 2.1% to a rate of 8.9%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Alaska Employment Opportunities
There is a wide breadth of options available to those in search of Alaska employment. America’s largest state is known for its rugged climes and pioneering spirit, and the many employment opportunities in Alaska often reflect this.
Two primary industries represent the major forces in Alaska employment- the oil and gas industry and the fishing/seafood industry.
Alaska is one of the United State’s leading oil producing states. It’s oil and gas production facilities are unrivalled the world over. Studies have shown that over 12% of private sector Alaska employment comes from oil and gas- as does over 20% of non-government wages.
Not to be outdone, Alaska’s fisheries are counted amongst the world’s richest. Focusing on sensible natural resource management, the fishermen have created a sustainable industry capable of making hundreds of million dollars each year.
Some of the most coveted Alaska employment opportunities can be found in these two giant industries. Salmon fishermen in Alaska average $100, 000 a year gross, whereas king crab fishermen can make us much as $10, 000 a week during the crab’s short season. A career in oil and gas offers stability and a great deal of room for promotion, as the industry is by far Alaska’s biggest employer. Alaskan officials are planning to build a $26 billion natural-gas pipeline that will connect the North Slope to Chicago, which is sure to create a spike in Alaska employment numbers.
Almost half the population of Alaska lives in Anchorage. The southern city is a Mecca for Alaska employment, home to a number of thriving industries including transport, shipping, resource extraction and a budding tourism trade, which generates $150 million worth of revenue each year.
Anchorage has enjoyed steady economic growth for some time, and due to its size, is insulated against all but the most severe of economic downturns. Alaska employment is often characterized by a high percentage of government or service-related jobs, and Anchorage is no exception. Approximately ten percent of the city’s population works directly or indirectly for the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
According to a 2000 census poll, Alaska has the 14th highest per capita income in the US, at $22, 660. Unemployment hovers at around 8.4%- however, Alaska’s mean wages are around 12% higher than the national average, which makes the state an attractive choice for Americans looking for shelter from the growing economic crisis.
Alaska Employment Resources
For those interested in finding Alaska employment, a good to start would be the Alaska Job Center Network website (www.jobs.state.ak.us), run by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The site includes a number of resources to help job seekers, including information on apprenticeships, labor market data and openings in state government, seafood/fishing, healthcare, mining and many other fields.
CareerOneStop (www.careeronestop.com) is Alaska’s premier statewide employment agency, with locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, along with 18 other towns and cities. It’s generally recognized as an excellent way to source most types of Alaska employment. However, there are some excellent alternatives to CareerOneStop, particularly when it comes to more specialized positions.
Adventurous job seekers interested in pursuing a career in Alaska’s burgeoning seafood trade should consult the Alaska Fishing Jobs center website (http://www.fishingjobs.com/afjc/), which will connect applicants directly to fishing boat captains licensed by the state of Alaska.
For those more interested in a career in one of Alaska’s primary industries- oil production- the website Oil Job Finder (www.oiljobfinder.com) provides all the necessary information and more. It’s an excellent way to learn how to be a part of Alaska’s fastest-growing industry.
Alaska Living Conditions
Alaska has one of the more competitive housing markets in the United States. Homes and rental properties are attractively priced, with the median Alaskan sale price at $275, 000 and the median rental price at $750 p/month.
The Last Frontier state also has a wealth of recreational activities to offer. During the summer, visitors to Prince William Sound enjoy kayak rides across serene waters and hikes through Denali National Park. The state is also famous for its fishing, hunting and cross-country skiing.
Winter brings 24-hour darkness to parts of northern Alaska, though southern cities such as Anchorage and Juneau still receive a few hours of light each day. Longer days and moderate temperatures come around the summer solstice.
Alaska is the only state in the U.S. that doesn’t have a statewide sales tax. There’s no individual income tax either, as state operations are funded primarily from money drawn from the state’s massive petroleum reserves.
The legal system in Alaska works similarly to the contiguous states, governed as a republic with the three standard branches of government- executive, legislative and judicial. Due to a sparse population- just under 700,000- Alaska only has one member in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Alaska Employment
American’s northern frontier offers up some truly unique- and sometimes very profitable- career opportunities. An emphasis on Alaska’s two flagship industries- oil and gas and commercial fishing- ensures a steady stream of growth for the state as a whole. This translates to success for relatively new industries such as manufacturing and tourism, which thrive in the business-friendly, tax-limited atmosphere.
Life in the far North may not be to everyone’s taste. But those with a taste for adventure, the aptitude for hard work and a desire to potentially make some big money, Alaska employment might be just the ticket.
