The Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development released the latest employment numbers last Friday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains unchanged in September and is 7.2 percent. Alaska’s not-seasonally adjusted rate grew three-tenths of a percent from August, which is typical as the season work around the state winds down for the year. The seasonal loss of fishing and tourism jobs accounted for much of the increase in unemployment.
Unemployment rates fell in seven boroughs and census areas. The largest decrease was in Kusilvak Census Area. The current rate is 17.8 percent, down from 21.2 percent in August. The census areas is still the highest in the state.
Alaska’s total employment numbers were also released and show a drop of 1.3 percent in September, which is a loss of about 4,600 jobs from September 2016. The construction industry and oil and gas industry has large decreases and both lost 6.7 percent over last year. Three areas did add jobs. Health care added 1.4 percent, leisure and hospitality added 0.3 percent and local government added 0.2 percent. Other industries were either flat or had modest losses.
Detailed employment statistics can be found at the State of Alaska's website.
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