The State Department of Labor revised employment statistics reported a 1.1% increase in the monthly average number of payroll jobs in Alaska in 2011. This was an increase of 3,700 jobs on average over the 2010 figures.
There were 328,800 jobs in Alaska on average throughout the year. Alaska’s employment situation is highly seasonal. There was a peak of 354,400 jobs reported in July and a low of 308,800 jobs in January of 2011. These figures do not include uniformed military or the self-employed.
Health Care contributed the largest growth in jobs in 2011. This sector added 1,300 or 4.1% more than the prior year. Health Care has been a major driver of job growth in the state for more than a decade. Professional Services added 1,000 jobs, a 3.7% gain for this sector.
Leisure & Hospitality climbed by 900 jobs mainly due to gains in Food Services & Drinking Places. This was a 2.8% increase. Seafood Processing grew by 600 jobs during an active fishing season, a 6.1% improvement.
Mining, which includes Oil & Gas, is another important contributor adding 500 jobs. Most of the gains were from exploration activity and maintenance work. Air Transportation increased by 200 jobs, which was a 3.4% gain.
The Construction sector reported the largest decrease of 900 jobs or -5.9%. Government shrunk by 600 jobs, with 500 of the decrease coming from a reduction in federal government employment. This loss accounted for only 0.7% of the government workforce.
Several sectors reported losses of 100 jobs. They include Wholesale Trade, General Merchandise Stores, Telecommunications, and Financial Activities.
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