Alaska Job and Career Search

With a population of just 730,000, on a per capita basis, Alaska is one of the smallest states in the nation. Notwithstanding, it has a strong economy and booming job market. Natural resources in Alaska are abundant. Natural gas, oil, and fishing dominate the state's economic landscape. Professionals interested in getting involved one of these industries will find jobs plentiful and diverse career opportunities.

Per capita personal income in Alaska is roughly $41,000 a year, ranking it 15th in the nation. It also is among the top five states in the U.S. for the number of millionaires, according to Phoenix Marketing International.

Alaska Economy and Job Growth

Alaska has a strong economy that is driven by the state's vast natural resources -- particularly oil, natural gas, and fishing. Tourism also contributes to Alaska's economy and is responsible for much of the state's job growth. Currently, over 80% of Alaska's revenues come from petroleum extraction. Not suprisingly, the state's number one export is oil, with natural gas coming in a close second. Seafood (salmon, cod fish, crab and Pollock) are also among the state's top exports.

Alaska supports a small agriculture sector which makes a nominal contribution to the state's economy. Most agricultural products, including dairy, livestock, vegetables, livestock, and nursey stock are not exported. Rather they are consumed within the state. Most foodstuffs and other items consumed by Alaskan residents must be imported from outside its borders.

Most of Alaska's workers are employed in government, natural resource extraction, transportation, and shipping. Many of Alaska's residents work on U.S. military bases located in Anchorage and Fairbanks. In addition to oil and natural gas extraction and production, mining (coal, gold, precious metals, etc.) timber processing, lodging and tourism contribute to Alaska's economy.

The U.S federal government is one of the larger employers in Alaska. Each government unit in Alaska--both the state and federal levels--employs several thousand people. The University of Alaska System is also one of the largest employers in Alaska. The following list, compiled by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, include the largest private sector employers in the state.

Largest Private Sector Employers in Alaska

Employer	Average monthly employment
Providence Health & Services	Over 4,000
Walmart/Sam's Club	3,000-3,250
Carrs Safeway Alaska Division	2,750-3,250
Fred Meyer	2,500-2,750
ASRC Energy Services	2,500-2,750
Trident Seafoods	2,250-2,500
BP Exploration Alaska	2,000-2,250
CH2M Hill	1,750-2,000
NANA Management Services1	1,750-2,000
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium	1,500-1,800
Alaska Airlines	1,500-1,800
GCI Communications	1,250-1,500
Banner Health	1,250-1,500
Southcentral Foundation	1,250-1,500
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation	1,000-1,250
FedEx	1,000-1,250
ConocoPhillips Alaska	1,000-1,250
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union	1,000-1,250
United Parcel Service	1,000-1,250
McDonald's Restaurants	750-1,000
Wells Fargo	750-1,000
Doyon Universal Services	750-1,000
Home Depot	750-1,000
Icicle Seafoods	750-1,000
The Alaska Club	750-1,000
Alaska Regional Hospital	750-1,000
Hope Community Resources	750-1,000
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium	750-1,000
UniSea	750-1,000
Spenard Builders Supply	750-1,000
Costco	750-1,000
Alaska Commercial Company	750-1,000
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company	750-1,000
Lowe's	750-1,000
Central Peninsula Hospital	500-750
First National Bank Alaska	500-750
First Student	500-750
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center	500-750
Westward Seafood	500-750
Alaska Consumer Direct Personal Care	500-750
PeterPan Seafoods	500-750
Tanana Chiefs Conference	500-750
Job Ready/ReadyCare	500-750
Udelhoven Oilfield System Services	500-750
Schlumberger Technologies	500-750
Alaska Hotel Properties/Princess Hotels	500-750
Maniilaq Association	500-750
Alyeska Resort	500-750
Ocean Beauty Seafoods	250-500

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

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