JUNEAU — The state Department of Labor says Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 6.6 percent in April.
That’s the same rate as March but is higher than the comparable U.S. rate of 5 percent.
The department said Alaska’s adjusted rate has held steady at 6.6 percent since October.
State economists say the steady rate suggests that the effects of job losses in the oil and gas industry and state government so far have not spread through the broader economy.
Preliminary estimates of job counts in April show a loss of 2,500 jobs from April 2015.
The number is driven by declines in the oil and gas industry and state government.
Jobs also fell in construction and professional and business services sectors.
Health care and retail sectors saw job increases.
