Driven largely by increased government-related employment and additional tourism jobs, Alaska’s statewide job count was up by 3,600 (or 1%) from a year ago.

Leisure and hospitality added 2,100 jobs (5% increase) over the year, benefitting from a record-setting number of cruise ship visitors, according to a report from Alaska’s Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

The next biggest gain was government jobs, including federal, state and local. In total, Alaska added 1,300 government jobs since last July, for a 1.8% increase. This included 600 new federal jobs, 400 local and 300 in state government. In total, Alaska now has 74,900 government jobs, which amounts to nearly 22% of all non-farm employment in the state.

Job growth also occurred in trade, education and health, and healthcare – all of which gained 600 jobs.

Oil and gas and professional and business services each gained 400 jobs, while most other industries grew or remained flat with three exceptions.

Manufacturing, which is primarily seafood processing in Alaska, was down 1,900 jobs over the year. July is the peak employment month due to salmon harvesting, but both harvest and processing volume can vary considerably year to year. Information and financial activities were down 100 each over the year.

Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8% in july with the comparable U.S. rate coming in at 3.5%.

Industries suffering the greatest losses included manufacturing (down 1,900 jobs), information (down 100) and financial activities (down 100).

Click here to support the Alaska Watchman.