Federal job cuts from 2025 continue to drag on Alaska employment

Alaska added 100 jobs in April compared to a year earlier. Government losses nearly canceled out private sector gains, according to a May 22, 2026, press release from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The federal government shed 1,900 jobs in Alaska over the year. The department attributes the decline to deep cuts that began in 2025. State government employment fell by 600 jobs, including positions at the University of Alaska. Local government, including public schools, lost 200 jobs.

Total government losses reached 2,700 jobs. Private employers added 2,800 jobs.

Alaska Public Media reported in February 2025 that planned federal job cuts could have major repercussions in Alaska, given the state's heavy dependence on federal spending and employment. KYUK reported in May 2025 that hundreds of federal employees across Alaska were losing their jobs as the Trump administration pursued an explicit goal of shrinking the federal workforce.

The transportation, warehousing, and utilities sector added 1,200 jobs over the year. The oil and gas sector gained 1,000 jobs. Health care added 600 jobs. Professional and business services lost 200 jobs. The information sector shed 200 jobs.

Alaska's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent in April 2026, unchanged from March. The national rate was 4.3 percent, also unchanged from the previous month.

The April employment figures are preliminary.