What is the most common job in Alaska?

The most common job in Alaska is often listed as Retail Sales & Cashiers, reflecting broad employment in retail, but key sectors also support roles like Food Service Workers, Administrative Assistants, and Healthcare Support, with significant presence in Government, Oil & Gas, Tourism, and Construction, creating demand for various roles from laborers to specialized technicians.

What do most people in Alaska do for work?

Common jobs in Alaska span healthcare, transportation, retail, and the dominant oil/gas sector, with high demand for Registered Nurses, Delivery Drivers, Cashiers, and roles in logistics/air cargo (Anchorage), alongside seasonal tourism/fishing work; healthcare (RNs, Techs) and tech also see consistent growth.
 

What are the main jobs in Alaska?

Alaska Occupational Projections 2022 to 2032

• Architecture and Engineering.
• Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media.
• Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance.
• Business and Financial Operations.
• Community and Social Services.
• Computer and Mathematical.
• Construction and Extraction.
• Education, Training, and Library.

What is the main occupation in Alaska?

The oil and gas industry is the largest component of Alaska's economy. Nearly 85 percent of the state budget is supplied by oil revenues. The fortunes of Alaska's oil industry, and therefore many sectors of the economy, are dependent upon world oil prices.

What job in Alaska pays the most?

Alaska's highest-paying jobs are dominated by specialized medical roles like Orthopedic Surgeons (around $390k/yr) and Psychiatrists, alongside demanding positions in Aviation (Pilots), Engineering, and the growing Healthcare sector (Nurse Practitioners, Dentists), with high demand also for Diesel Mechanics and specialized trades due to remote needs, often exceeding $100k-$200k+ annually. 

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Is $30 an hour good in Alaska?

$88.4K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $113.1K / yr.

Who is the biggest employer in Alaska?

The largest employer in Alaska is often cited as Providence Health & Services (Providence Alaska), a major healthcare provider, while the State of Alaska (government) and Alaska Native Corporations like Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) or NANA are also massive, with UIC (Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation) being a huge employer with thousands of workers across many industries, but specific rankings vary by source and year, with healthcare and native corporations dominating. 

Do you get $1000 for living in Alaska?

Alaska's PFD program isn't new, but every year it draws attention for its economic impact. Funded by the state's oil and mineral revenues, the PFD helps redistribute wealth back to its residents. In 2025, the state confirmed a $1,000 payment for all eligible Alaskans.

Why do so many people leave Alaska?

People are leaving Alaska due to a combination of economic challenges (fewer jobs, high costs), demographic shifts (aging population retiring), and lifestyle factors like long, dark winters, expensive travel, and concerns about crime/politics, with many young adults moving to the "Lower 48" for better opportunities and a different quality of life, while older residents leave for retirement.
 

Is there a job shortage in Alaska?

Alaska's worker shortage is one of the toughest in the country, and it has big consequences for the state's economy. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Alaska has 97 available workers for every 100 open jobs. In other words, there simply aren't enough people to go around.

Is it hard to get a job in Alaska?

If you're looking for a job in Alaska, you can make your search easier when you know which roles have the most demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Alaska's current unemployment rate is 3.7% , slightly higher than the national average.

Are more people moving in or out of Alaska?

Alaska has lost residents to net migration for 12 straight years, but in recent years the losses have been small enough for the population to grow overall. Last year, 1,163 more people left Alaska than moved in, but the state gained 3,437 residents through natural increase, or births minus deaths.

What is good pay in Alaska?

$44.1K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $60.1K / yr. $82.3K is the 75th percentile.

Which state is hardest to get a job?

Worst states to find a job:

• West Virginia — 37.93.
• Louisiana — 39.89.
• Kentucky — 43.68.
• Alaska — 43.97.
• Oregon — 44.39.
• North Carolina — 45.21.
• Pennsylvania— 45.22.
• Montana — 45.68.

What are the big 5 in Alaska?

Alaska's "Big 5" are the iconic land mammals wildlife enthusiasts hope to see: Brown/Grizzly Bears, Moose, Caribou, Dall Sheep, and Wolves, representing the state's vast wilderness and unique ecosystems, with Denali National Park being a prime location for spotting them on bus tours.
 

What is the number one killer in Alaska?

In Alaska, cancer and heart disease are consistently the top two leading causes of death overall, but accidents (unintentional injuries), including drug overdoses, falls, and transport incidents, are the leading cause for younger Alaskans (under 45), while suicide also ranks high, especially among certain age groups. COVID-19 temporarily became a top cause in 2021, and chronic conditions dominate older age groups, whereas injuries are critical for younger Alaskans.
 

Who bought Alaska for $1?

The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in October 1867 for 7.2 million dollars, or two cents per acre. Many Americans thought this was a waste of money and called Alaska "Seward's Folly," after Secretary of State William H. Seward who championed the purchase.

Is Alaska a rich or poor state?

Alaska finishes at the bottom of CNBC's state competitiveness rankings in 2025 with America's worst state economy. The state counts on oil for around 70% of its revenue, and upwards of half its budget.

Can you still claim free land in Alaska?

No, you can't get free land in Alaska through the original Homestead Act, as that program ended in 1986; however, the state offers programs like the Homesite Law and state land lotteries for cheap land with settlement requirements, and there are federal programs for specific groups like veterans, but they involve fees and strict conditions, not truly "free" land in the historic sense. 

How much is a gallon of milk in Alaska?

A gallon of milk in Alaska typically costs between $6 and $8, but can be much higher, sometimes reaching $10-$15 or more in remote areas, due to high transportation costs, with prices varying significantly by location, from larger cities like Anchorage to isolated villages. 

Who owns most land in Alaska?

The Federal Government owns the most land in Alaska, holding over 60% (around 224 million acres), with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managing the largest portion, followed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Park Service (NPS). Among private entities, Doyon, Limited, an Alaska Native regional corporation, is the largest single private landowner, managing over 12 million acres. 

What jobs are most in demand in Alaska?

Alaska has high demand for healthcare (nurses, therapists, doctors), skilled trades (electricians, mechanics, construction), oil/gas industry roles (engineers, technicians, operators), and transportation (drivers, pilots), driven by a significant worker shortage across various sectors, with opportunities in Anchorage, resource industries, and tourism.
 

Why is Alaska so wealthy?

Alaska oil and natural gas pipelines, and proposed natural gas pipelines. Alaska has vast energy resources. Major oil and gas reserves are found in the Alaska North Slope (ANS) and Cook Inlet basins. According to the Energy Information Administration, Alaska ranks fourth in the nation in crude oil production.