
You can find the percentage of government jobs in Anchorage by dividing the number of government positions by total employment and multiplying by 100. For 2026, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides monthly data on nonfarm payrolls, which includes a sector called “Government” (federal, state, and local). In Anchorage, government jobs typically represent about 20–25% of total employment. To get an exact figure, use the latest “Anchorage MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) Employment by Industry” report. For example, if total employment is 150,000 and government jobs are 33,000, the percentage equals 22% (33,000 ÷ 150,000 × 100). I always check the Alaska Economic Trends publication for the most recent numbers.
| Year | Total Anchorage Employment | Government Jobs | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 148,200 | 31,800 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 150,500 | 32,400 | 21.5% |
| 2025 (est.) | 152,000 | 33,000 | 21.7% |
The key is to use the same source consistently — the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey. Don’t mix state and local government data with federal, because the breakdown can vary. Also, remember that Anchorage has a large military and federal presence (e.g., Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson), which pushes the percentage higher than in many other U.S. cities. If you’re looking at job openings rather than filled positions, you’d need to check the Alaska Job Center Network’s job vacancy report, which often shows a slightly lower percentage because government vacancies are filled more slowly than private sector ones. For a quick estimate, I always start with the BLS data and then adjust for known seasonal swings (e.g., summer tourism jobs reduce the government share temporarily).

I just look up the latest “Anchorage Economic Profile” on the Alaska Department of Labor website. They always list the government sector share as a percentage. Last time I checked, it was around 22%. No need to calculate yourself — just read the table. I avoid the BLS site because it’s too cluttered. The state’s monthly report is cleaner. If you want openings instead of total jobs, the state’s “Job Vacancy Survey” shows that government openings are about 15% of all vacancies, because government turnover is low.

Honestly, I’d just call the Anchorage Municipal Employment Office. They track all local government jobs (city, school district, etc.) and can tell you the percentage of the workforce that’s government. For federal jobs, I’d check USAJOBS.gov and compare the number of Anchorage-based listings to total listings. But that’s tedious. A simpler way: 20% is a safe bet for most years. The state government alone employs around 8,000 people in Anchorage, plus the municipality adds another 3,500. That’s roughly 11,500 out of 150,000 — about 7.7% just for state and local. Federal adds another 13–14%.

I’m a numbers person, so I build a small spreadsheet. I pull the BLS CES series for Anchorage (series ID: SMS12026000000000001) and filter by supersector “Government”. Then I divide by total nonfarm employment. The BLS updates monthly, so I can track the trend. Over the last 10 years, the percentage has hovered between 20% and 24%, with a slight dip in 2020 due to COVID hiring freezes. For 2026, I’d project 21.5% based on the 5-year moving average. The military component is the wildcard — Anchorage’s federal workforce is about 40% military, and those numbers can shift with base realignments.

I advise people to use the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) data dashboard. They publish an annual “Anchorage Jobs Report” that breaks down employment


