Employment rose 0.9 percent in Alaska’s only large county, Anchorage Municipality, from June 2023 to June 2024 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that in June 2024, Anchorage Municipality’s employment totaled 150,300 and accounted for 43.4 percent of total employment within the state. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 259 of the 355 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.0 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-3.0 percent).

Alaska additionally consists of 17 smaller boroughs, 11 census areas, and 1 municipality, each of which is considered a county-level equivalent. Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for these 29 county equivalents in Alaska with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 23 of the 29 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

From the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, the average weekly wage in Anchorage Municipality rose 4.5 percent. Nationwide, wages increased by 4.4 percent over the year. Among the 351 largest counties in the United States with published data, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Hamilton, IN, had the largest percentage wage increase (+33.4 percent). Essex, MA, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-2.1 percent).

Anchorage Municipality’s $1,395 average weekly wage in the second quarter of 2024 was similar to the U.S. average of $1,390. Among the 360 largest U.S. counties with published data, 87 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2024. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,632). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 273 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($820).

Among the 29 smaller counties in Alaska—those with employment below 75,000—6 had average weekly wages higher than the national average. North Slope Borough ($2,403) reported highest average weekly wage in the state, while Kusilvak Census Area ($805) reported the lowest.

When all 30 counties in Alaska were considered, 5 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,000, 6 registered wages from $1,000 to $1,099, 8 had wages from $1,100 to $1,199, and 11 had average weekly wages of $1,200 or higher. (See map 1.)