Cost of living comparisons are imprecise, but one study ranks Kodiak, Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage among the survey's 10 most expensive cities to live in. Unemployment in Alaska is above the national average. The employment growth rate is slow, below one percent. All in all, recent economic growth has been slow. Hotels and lodging places, amusement and recreation services, business and social services, and health care are pacesetters in expected services job growth.
Recruitment is active for seasonal summer seafood processing jobs.
In the summer, there are labor shortages in some occupations. In Anchorage, the transportation sector is growing. Many openings are for seasonal employment. Employment in state and local government is in a downward trend. Mining companies have been curtailing operations.