Employment
Sitka's labor force is highly educated and considered to be industrious, creative and independent minded. Many in the labor force are underemployed and anxious for an opportunity to improve themselves and work in a challenging field of endeavor. Sitkans are also extremely well connected to the Internet with dial-up, DSL and cable modem services.
Sitka is fortunate to be able to embrace and nurture several economic engines which make it the most diversified economy in Alaska: healthcare, education, tourism, government, and seafood processing. Sitka is best known for the quality, quantity and variety of seafood harvested in Sitka waters and processed by four major fish processing companies. In 2007, Sitka ranked 6th as the largest port by value in the United States and 19th by volume.
Each summer Sitka welcomes over 100,000 cruise ship passengers who bring great excitement and economic stimulus. Opportunities are open for new businesses desiring to serve the growing tourism markets in Southeast Alaska.
Sitka also has State permits to export 26 million gallons per day of pristine, fresh water. The local government is developing a marine industrial park that includes a large capacity water delivery system. This project will allow Sitka to market its abundant fresh water to the world.
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 once supported Sitka's economy.
Sitka's 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.
Average Total Labor Force 2008 4,291
Average Unemployment Rate 2009 6.87%
Alaska minimum wage $7.75 per hour
Major Employers, 2010*
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) = 482
Sitka School District = 250
US Coast Guard = 209
City and Borough of Sitka = 179
Sitka Community Hospital = 176
Mt. Edgecumbe High School = 154
Hames Corporation = 150
Sitka Tribe of Alaska = 134
Sitka Pioneers' Home = 105
University of Alaska Southeast = 87
Alaska Commercial Company/Lakeside Grocery = 75
US Forest Service = 75 (down from 109 in 2006)
Westmark Hotels Inc. = 50
Alaska Airlines Inc. = 47
Seasonal Seafood Processors
Sitka Sound Seafoods = Winter 50 / Peak 350
Silver Bay Seafoods (new business as of 2008) = Winter 25 / Peak 220
Seafood Producers Cooperative = Not Yet Available
*Based on average monthly employment (full-time, part-time, and temporary)
Soure: Payroll/Human Resource Manager of the listed employer.
