Alaska's Top Private-Sector Employers Revealed

Strategic Insights -

The Carr Gottstein Foods Co. remained Alaska's top private-sector employer in 1997 for the seventh consecutive year, according to the state's Labor Department. Providence Alaska Medical Center ranked second, with the Fred Meyer chain taking third. The list highlights the growth and decline of various industries in Alaska over the decade, with oil companies and subcontractors making significant changes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Carr Gottstein Foods Co. held the top spot as Alaska's private-sector employer in 1997 for the seventh consecutive year, with 3,192 workers.
  • Providence Alaska Medical Center ranked second, with 2,844 employees, while the Fred Meyer chain took third with 1,925 workers.
  • Oil companies like Arco Alaska Inc. and BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. dropped in rankings due to worker reductions and increased subcontracting.
  • Veco Inc., an oil-field services company, placed seventh with 1,188 employees, and Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and Alaska Petroleum Contractors ranked just below BP.
  • The top employers included Alaska Airlines (fifth), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (sixth), and National Bank of Alaska (eighth).
  • Seven private employers made the list in both 1987 and 1997: Arco Alaska, Carr Gottstein, Providence, BP, Lutheran, Veco, and National Bank of Alaska.
  • Government entities, including the federal government, State of Alaska, University of Alaska, Anchorage School District, and Anchorage Municipality, had a combined total of over 43,000 employees, dwarfing the private sector.

Statistics:

  • Carr Gottstein Foods Co. had 3,192 workers in 1997.
  • Providence Alaska Medical Center had 2,844 employees in 1997.
  • Fred Meyer had 1,925 workers in 1997.
  • Arco Alaska Inc. had 1,526 workers in 1997 and ranked fourth.
  • BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. had 940 workers in 1997 and ranked 13th.
  • Veco Inc. had 1,188 employees in 1997 and ranked seventh.
  • The federal government employed 17,339 workers in 1997, the most of any employer.
  • Private employers in Alaska had a total of 12,109 employees in 1997.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press, "Carrs Again Tops List of Alaska Employers"
  • State of Alaska Labor Department data for 1987 and 1997
  • Carr Gottstein Foods Co. annual report, 1997
  • Providence Alaska Medical Center annual report, 1997