August 06, 2003
Wednesday - 2:10 pm

For the second year in a row, Providence Health System Alaska heads the 2002 list of Alaska's top 100 private sector employers. Providence now employs a workforce of 3,417,

Click on the graphic to download the free August issue of the Alaska Trends magazine...(pdf)

compared to 1,959 just a decade ago, according to Labor Economist Neal Fried. Safeway/Carrs stores was second with 3,028 employees. Nearly a third of all private sector workers in Alaska work for one of these 100 employees.

There were eight newcomers to the list this year - Job Ready, Petro Star, First Student, Gottschalks, Frontier Community Services, CIRI Alaska Tourism, Sky Chefs and Alaska Sales & Service.

Although the nonprofit sector is not often touted as a powerful force in Alaska's economy, this list of Alaska largest employers points to an important story. Nearly a quarter of the top 100 employers were nonprofits. Providence also topped this list followed by Banner Health System (Fairbanks Memorial Hospital).

This list also illustrates the growing influence of Native organizations on Alaska's economy. Seventeen of these big players are Native organizations - both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Alaska Petroleum Contractors was the largest followed by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation.

The August issue of Alaska Economic Trends (pdf) includes the complete list of Alaska's top 100 private sector employers, as well as the monthly Alaska Employment Scene. According to Labor Economist Brigitta Windisch-Cole, the biggest employment gains in Alaska's economy are coming from Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Leisure & Hospitality, and Construction.

1. Providence Health System Alaska    3,417
2. Safeway Stores/Carrs   3,028
3. Wal-Mart/Sam's Club    2,345
4. Fred Meyer    2,251
5. Alaska Airlines    1,882
6. BP Exploration    1,549
7. Alaska Petroleum Contractors    1,210
8. Banner Health System    1,204
9. Federal Express    1,120
10. Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp.    1,110

Source of News & graphic:

Alaska Department of Labor
Web Site

 

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