Manufacturing jobs fall in Alaska as seafood processing plummets

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – As seafood processing falls, manufacturing employment saw a significant decrease as well, but most sectors are seeing employment gains.

The statewide jobs report for June marked a 5,600 job increase over 2023. That’s a 1.5% increase from last year.

Looking at employment gains, the construction sector continued a trend of increasing employment as federal infrastructure funding helped add 2,300 jobs. Healthcare also saw continued increases adding 1,600 jobs. Those positions primarily being added to hospitals and outpatient facilities. Professional and business services marked an uptick in employment as well gaining 900 jobs for the month.

Manufacturing, as a sector, lost 1,100 jobs. This sector has seen little movement in employment figures through the year so far but job losses in seafood processing played a large role in the decrease. Information jobs also fell by 200 jobs as part an ongoing trend. Similarly, the financial sector saw a loss of 100 jobs.

In public employment, both federal and municipal government position added a combined 800 jobs, 700 of those going to federal positions. This is part of a positive increase with both employers adding a combined 1,200 jobs in May. State government positions were down by 300 jobs.

Unemployment for Alaska remains higher than the national unemployment rate which is 4.1%. Alaska’s unemployment rate is 4.5%.

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