The Department of Labor and Workforce Development released its October employment numbers earlier this month. Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains unchanged from August and September and sits at 7.2 percent. The not-seasonally adjusted rate was 6.7 percent, one-tenth of a percent higher than September. Most boroughs and census areas saw an increase in their unemployment rates, especially those who rely heavily on tourism. Skagway and the Denali Borough have the largest increases.
Six boroughs had decreases in their unemployment rates, while two stayed the same. Each of the following areas had a decrease of approximately one half of a percent: The Nome Census Area, North Slope Borough, and the Northwest Arctic Borough.
Employment was down about 1.3 percent and had a loss of about 4,100 jobs. Oil and gas and construction had the largest decrease in jobs in October with a loss of 7.8 percent and 7.2 percent respectively. Job losses have slowed in 2017 and is better than the rates in the fall of 2016.
Full employment numbers can be found on the State’s website.
Comments