Since the beginning, Alaska has demanded hard work from her people. Today most residents earn their living from one of Alaska's primary industries including communications, transportation, resource development, tourism, and emerging high-tech industries. Others choose to work independently, relying on materials harvested from the land and sea to provide all or some of their subsistence.
Many people live here because they value Alaska's land, culture, history, and wildlife.
Outdoor guides and fishermen, craftsmen and artisans, entrepreneurs and professionals, often find ways to combine their love of Alaska with their work. Most Alaskans are happy to share their experiences with visitors who want to know more about how people live and work in Alaska. Alaska's largest private employer is the seafood industry. The state's many fishing fleets are among the nation's most productive, accounting for half of the total U.S. catch. For the many Alaskans in the petroleum industry, work can mean weeks or months away from home.