Sitka Community Profile 2006-2007

Labor and Employment

Sitka has one of the region's most diversified economies. Health care (16.8%), seafood (12.8%), government (15.3%), and services (14.3%) provide the highest percentage of local employment. According to Juneau-based economic consultants, the McDowell Group, with this well-balanced economy Sitka has compensated to some degree for economic hardship brought on by declining basic industries, particularly forest products that also supported Sitka's economy.

With two institutions of higher learning in Sitka, the labor force is well educated. Based on 2000 Census Data, 90.6% of the population aged 25 or older are high school graduates or higher while 29.5% have bachelors degree or higher. 33.8% of employed civilian labor force are holding management, professional, and related occupations while 22.1% are in sales and office occupations.The labor force is most typically under-employed with educated and skilled labor working in jobs unrelated to their expertise. Typical skills categories include medical, metal fabrication, commercial fishing and commercial fish processing, and tourism related.

Sitka's labor force averages 4,000 employed and an unemployment rate of 3.5% to 4.0% during the summer season and 7% to 9% in the winter season. Labor shortages typically occur in the tourist season of May through September for jobs in the $10 or less per hour. For positions paying from $12 to $15 per hour, or more, the labor force is plentiful.