These Are The 10 Best Cities In Alaska For Jobs In 2026

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Are you searching for job opportunities in Alaska? You’ve found the perfect resource!

While Juneau may come to mind as a prime location for employment, it actually ranks lower than expected based on recent data.

At Zippia, we leverage data-driven analysis to answer critical questions about job markets. We’ve evaluated various locations in Alaska to identify the top cities for job seekers in 2026.

After analyzing over 40 locations in Alaska, we’ve compiled a list of the best cities to find employment in the Last Frontier:

Residents of these cities likely appreciate their favorable job markets, and for those unfamiliar, keep reading to discover how we ranked these locations and the factors contributing to their high scores.

For more information about job opportunities in Alaska, check out:

How We Determined The Best Cities in Alaska for Jobs

To make a fair comparison, we set a minimum population threshold of 5,000 residents.

After gathering data on approximately 46 locations in Alaska, we narrowed it down to 23 cities that met this population requirement.

Each location was rated across several criteria, with a rank from one to 23, where one represents the best. The average rank across all metrics determined the overall score, with the lowest score indicating the top city for job seekers in Alaska.

The criteria considered included:

Unemployment rate
Median household income
Poverty level

Data sources included the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

If your city isn’t in the top 10, scroll down for a detailed comparison chart.

Now let’s explore how these cities achieved their high-ranking status.

1. Cordova

Population: 2,637 Unemployment Rank: 4
Median Income Rank: 2
Poverty Level Rank: 1

2. Unalaska

Population: 4,536 Unemployment Rank: 1
Median Income Rank: 4
Poverty Level Rank: 7

3. Juneau

Population: 32,200 Unemployment Rank: 6
Median Income Rank: 5
Poverty Level Rank: 3

4. Sitka

Population: 8,957 Unemployment Rank: 5
Median Income Rank: 10
Poverty Level Rank: 6

5. Anchorage

Population: 298,178 Unemployment Rank: 8
Median Income Rank: 8
Poverty Level Rank: 5

6. North Pole

Population: 2,153 Unemployment Rank: 3
Median Income Rank: 12
Poverty Level Rank: 11

7. Kodiak

Population: 6,280 Unemployment Rank: 2
Median Income Rank: 15
Poverty Level Rank: 14

8. Bethel

Population: 6,295 Unemployment Rank: 10
Median Income Rank: 7
Poverty Level Rank: 15

9. Valdez

Population: 4,002 Unemployment Rank: 12
Median Income Rank: 1
Poverty Level Rank: 19

10. Soldotna

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 4,345 Unemployment Rank: 19
Median Income Rank: 13
Poverty Level Rank: 2

Finding the Right Job in Alaska

The top cities for jobs in Alaska share a common advantage—they are strategically located near major employment hubs. This geographic positioning allows residents to access a variety of job opportunities.

The pursuit of the American dream, including homeownership in suburban areas, remains attainable for those seeking rewarding careers.

If you’re curious, here are the least favorable locations for job seekers in Alaska:

Houston
Ketchikan
Fairbanks

Comprehensive List of the Best Cities for Jobs in Alaska

Rank	City	Population	Unemployment Rank	Income Rank	Poverty Rank
1	Cordova	2,637	4	2	1
2	Unalaska	4,536	1	4	7
3	Juneau	32,200	6	5	3
4	Sitka	8,957	5	10	6
5	Anchorage	298,178	8	8	5
6	North Pole	2,153	3	12	11
7	Kodiak	6,280	2	15	14
8	Bethel	6,295	10	7	15
9	Valdez	4,002	12	1	19
10	Soldotna	4,345	19	13	2
11	Nome	3,745	15	9	12
12	Seward	2,646	11	22	4
13	Homer	5,229	9	19	10
14	Wrangell	2,383	7	23	8
15	Palmer	6,250	14	17	9
16	Dillingham	2,255	13	11	20
17	Kotzebue	3,273	21	3	21
18	Barrow	4,296	22	6	17
19	Wasilla	8,406	18	14	13
20	Kenai	7,348	17	16	18
21	Fairbanks	32,100	20	18	16
22	Ketchikan	8,173	16	20	23
23	Houston	2,058	23	21	22

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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