Alaska Employment: 313,800 Jobs Puts November Unemployment at 4.4 Percent
Funtap P | Dreamstime
The seasonal number of jobs in Alaska shrank in November, raising the unemployment rate. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development puts the seasonally adjusted figure at 4.4 percent, up from 4.3 in October.
Monthly Jobs Down, Yearly Jobs Up
The statewide rate has been hovering near 4 percent since the start of 2022. The comparable national rate dropped slightly to 3.7 percent in November.
The unadjusted unemployment rate in the Anchorage area rose in November to 3.8 percent after dropping to 3.6 in October. Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough had the lowest unemployment of any region. Every area saw higher rates than the previous month except for the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (at 6.1 percent, down from 6.3 in October), the Bristol Bay Borough (at 4.7 percent, down from 4.8 in October), and the Bethel Census Area, unchanged month to month at 9.5 percent.
Every area saw higher rates in November compared to a year earlier except four: Bristol Bay Borough, Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Petersburg Borough, and Yakutat.
The total number of jobs in November was higher than a year earlier. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development counts 313,800 compared to 308,800. That annual growth of 5,000 jobs is a 1.6 percent increase, even though the job count is down from October’s 322,000.
Current Issue
November 2025
Most employment sectors grew, but construction, manufacturing, and information were flat year-over-year while financial activities was down by 200 jobs.
Healthcare added 200 jobs since October, adding up to 1,300 more jobs since a year ago. The leisure and hospitality sector counted 800 more jobs since November 2022, mainly in restaurants and bars. The mining sector also added 800 jobs.
Growth in public sector jobs was led by local government (including school districts), up by 500 since November 2022. Growth in federal employment offset the state government’s annual job losses of 400.
Donlin Leaders Say New Partner Brings New Energy to Project
Donlin Gold leaders tell the Alaska Miners Association they are hopeful that this summer’s ownership changes will reinvigorate the mine project.
As Federal Ground Shifts, Mining Industry Leaders Seek to Advance Projects
Mining industry leaders are optimistic about the federal government’s apparent favorable shift while acknowledging the need to make meaningful change.
Matson Deploys Whale Spotting Technology to Avoid Ship Strikes
A new technology that leverages machine learning to analyze thermal images will help Matson container ships steer clear of marine mammals.
