Statewide employment rose an estimated 0.1 percent, or 400 jobs in February over the same month a year ago, for a second consecutive month of growth after more than three years of job losses, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Labor officials said construction has added the greatest number of jobs over the year, a total of 1,000 positions, followed by oil and gas, with 500 jobs, manufacturing jobs, mostly in seafood processing, had the biggest over-the-year decline at 500, and retail jobs fell by 300.
Overall, the state’s industry sectors were a mix of mostly small gains and losses. The private sector was up by 800 jobs and the government down by 400.
Alaska’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate held at 6,5 percent, while unemployment nationally fell from 4.0 to 3.8 percent.
Lowest rates of unemployment were in the Aleutians East Borough, at 2.0 percent and Aleutians West Census Area, at 2.6 percent, due to winter fishing.
Skagway, Kusilvak, Hoonah-Angoon and Denali saw unemployment rates over 20 percent.
