The number of out-of-state workers in Alaska is continuing to rise and is near an all-time high, according to a new report published this week by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The number of out-of-state workers in Alaska is continuing to rise and is near an all-time high, according toreports in 2024, almost 23% of non-federal jobs in Alaska were held by someone who did not live in the state.
Nonresidents earned roughly $3.8 billion, or about 17% of every dollar earned from a non-federal job. In some industries, the proportion of nonresident workers was much higher: In 2024, more than four in five seafood processing workers were nonresidents. Among oil and gas workers, 40.5% were nonresidents. Among miners, nonresidents made up 44.2% of all workers, and nonresidents averaged higher wages than residents did. The state has been collecting nonresident worker data since 1990, and the new figures are the second-highest on record, behind only 1992, which used a different job classification system. That year, 23.7% of Alaska workers were nonresidents. The proportion of nonresident workers has been rising steadily since the COVID-19 pandemic emergency layoffs of 2020. He noted that the rise comes amid a decline in the number of Alaskans who are between 18 and 64 years old, what economists call “prime working age.” From 2013 to 2024, the number of Alaskans in that age range has declined by about 34,000 people, or 7%.“It’s pretty clear that is kind of what’s contributing to what we’re seeing with employers having to rely heavily on nonresidents,” he said. “Every industry now is starting to lean more heavily on nonresidents, including ones that have historically not. Even things like state government and local government, we’re starting to see more nonresidents,” Krieger said. In most industries, nonresidents earned less than residents did because nonresidents tended to hold seasonal jobs. Across the state, nonresidents averaged $16,302 in wages for any given quarter of the year. Residents averaged $16,531, indicating that nonresidents and residents were generally paid about the same. Gunnar Schultz, a Department of Labor analyst who compiled this year’s report, said the numbers are based on unemployment insurance reports filed by employers with the state. Alaska requires employers and employees to pay into the state’s unemployment insurance fund.“Did you apply for a 2024 PFD or 2025 PFD? If you applied for neither, you’re a nonresident,” he said.The report separately analyzed those jobs, and based on permit data and other information, “nonresidents were an estimated 49 percent of the harvesting workforce, which includes permit holders and their crew, and nonresidents took in 57 percent of gross harvesting earnings.”Anchorage woman found dead in Mountain View residenceChugiak man arrested, accused of paying smugglers to bring a woman, her daughter, from HondurasFairbanks moves to address ‘ongoing problem’ at high-risk school crossing
Alaska Department Of Labor And Workforce Developme James Brooks Alaska Beacon Alaska Jobs
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alaska’s race for governor picks up 16th candidate, a former state legislator from SitkaJonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is the third Democrat to enter the race to replace incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Read more »
Annual spending on compensation for Alaska state officials tops $29MGov. Mike Dunleavy reported spending $116,000 on travel, including a trip to Asia to promote the gas line.
Read more »
Man arrested after teen stabbed inside Stebbins homeAlaska State Troopers say a 34-year-old man has been charged in connection with a late January stabbing that left a teenager seriously injured in a Western Alaska village.
Read more »
Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crash kills pilot and trooper during shooter responseThe department says the helicopter was assisting the Flagstaff Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
Read more »
Alaska schools projected to lose 1,500 students, state saysAlaska’s public schools are projected to lose 1,500 students next year in a historic enrollment decline that’s hitting both traditional classrooms and online programs for the first time.
Read more »
‘Not Alaska First’: Peltola’s Green New Deal allies draw scrutiny in Alaska Senate bidMary Peltola is receiving high-profile Democratic support in her Senate bid, including Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, and Kamala Harris.
Read more »