July employment 0.6% lower than july 2025  

Aug. 21, 2026
No. 26-16

JUNEAU — Alaska had 2,100 fewer jobs in July than it had in July 2025. The 0.6 percent decline was a combination of large government job losses and a slight increase in private sector jobs.

Industries that added jobs included the transportation, warehousing and utilities sector (1,200), oil and gas (800), health care (400) and leisure and hospitality (200).

Manufacturing, which is primarily seafood processing, had 1,000 fewer July jobs than a year ago, with weak salmon runs as a major factor. Other private sector employment losses included construction (-700), professional and business services (-500) and retail (-300). Wholesale trade and financial activities were flat.

The federal government’s job count in July was 1,300 below year-ago levels. State government employment was down by 1,000. Local government, which includes K-12 public schools, was flat.

Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent and the U.S rate was 4.1 percent. Both were slightly lower than the month before.

last updated: Aug. 21, 2026