Unemployment Rate Rises In August

 

Alaska's unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.8 percent in August, an increase of one-tenth of a percentage point. The comparable national rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 5.7 percent. Dan Robinson, a labor economist with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, reported the numbers.

Typically, Alaska's unemployment rate falls slightly in August as seasonal employment is near its peak and the number of unemployed persons reaches its yearly low point.

Anchorage's unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.4 percent. Fairbanks saw its rate drop one-tenth of a percentage point in August to 4.7 percent. Juneau saw similar movement, with a decrease of one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.3 percent. Anchorage's rate is seven-tenths of a percentage higher than in August 2001; unemployment rates for Fairbanks and Juneau are slightly higher than they were a year ago.

Other areas of the state generally showed small increases in their unemployment rates. After a large drop last month, Kodiak's rate bounced from 4.4 percent to 7.6 percent in August as a result of strong seasonality in the fishing industry. Despite the increase, Kodiak's rate remains below its year-ago level. The high and low rates for the state were once again the Wade Hampton Census Area at 20.6 percent and the Aleutians East Borough at 2.6 percent.

Preliminary wage and salary employment estimates for August indicate that the state added approximately 600 jobs over the month. The estimates also show an over-the-year increase of about 2,500 jobs. The construction industry has added approximately 700 jobs since August 2001, a healthy increase of 3.7 percent. The service and retail trade industries also continue to add jobs at a modest rate, while manufacturing and mining remain down over the year.

Contact:   Dan Robinson, Labor Economist, Juneau (907) 465-6036
Fairbanks toll free number (800) 476-9900
URL Address:  https://laborstats.alaska.gov/