How do you you people make money in rural Alaska (Anchorage: employment, live)

[raj100]

Originally Posted by wolfhelm

My skills let me think... I'm fairly ok with woodworking/carpentry, really good in computers/systems(if I got certified and/or a degree I could probally get an ok job down here). I don't mind hard work/labour, and that's about what I know. personally I perfer blue collar work instead of white collar, IT is the outlier, that I don't mind to much.

I posted a little while ago on this board that I was offered a IT job for $70,000 which would be a pay cut for me. After looking, it seems the IT job market is pretty poor and low paying. I read that jobs there would pay more than the lower 48 but I dont think that is true anymore. I bet all the money is from oil and mining. If there is not much oil or mine work going on the wages drop.

So anyways, I imagine the IT market in the rural areas is terrible. Probably just fixing someones laptop. And they likely cant pay the $100+ you can get away with in a city.

I always wondered how people can make a living out there in a rural area. I would love to live cheap, but it looks like it still takes a ton of money to even live out in the woods.

[polarbytes]

Well, just to throw my oar in the water; here in Nikiski, it is not what I consider rural and certainly not bush, but it is a small unincorporated area that can have an isolated feel. Plus, we are one of the few areas in the state that has a pretty active job market, in spite of the low oil prices. That being said, housing is very expensive and you have to drive to Kenai or Soldotna for most everything. But it beats living in Anchorage or Fairbanks.

[Blueberry]

Keyman51 paints a good picture of what's available in a small village. There are usually one or two people who become jacks-of-all-trades, who provide much of the heavy machinery and skilled laborers for odd jobs and government contracts such as road work, septic tank installations, site pad prepping, dirt and gravel excavation, etc. Many of the locals drive big trucks for runway repairs, road maintenance, and building projects.

Schools and government offices need a wide variety of workers such as teaching assistants, cooks, maintenance personnel, clerical positions, accountants and other business specialists, janitorial staff, librarians, historians, etc. Many schools, however, are facing huge budget cuts, so some positions are being eliminated. The larger the village, the more varied the positions.

The #1 thing most Bush residents want is an auto mechanic, followed by someone skilled in small engine repair for ATVs, snow machines, and boats. Someone skilled in veterinary medicine would also be a welcome addition to most communities, as would a competent hair dresser or barber. IT support would also be helpful. A certified electrician is needed just about anywhere. Someone with carpentry, finishing, mudding, or flooring skills would also be helpful. Unfortunately, the need for these services isn't enough to provide full-time employment in the smaller villages, so such people would need to pick up other work.

Tourists and out-of-town visitors would appreciate rental cars, boats, ATVs, or even bicycles, plus a place to eat that doesn't involve getting pre-packaged food from the local store. Some of the small villages actually have a restaurant or two, and the larger communities have taxi service.

For anyone who is willing to work and isn't too picky about the type of job, most villages do have opportunities. There is usually an employer or two who will give anyone a job as long as the person is actually willing to work and do a good job. Whether or not such employment provides a living wage is highly debatable.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Blueberry

Keyman51 paints a good picture of what's available in a small village. There are usually one or two people who become jacks-of-all-trades, who provide much of the heavy machinery and skilled laborers for odd jobs and government contracts such as road work, septic tank installations, site pad prepping, dirt and gravel excavation, etc. Many of the locals drive big trucks for runway repairs, road maintenance, and building projects.

Schools and government offices need a wide variety of workers such as teaching assistants, cooks, maintenance personnel, clerical positions, accountants and other business specialists, janitorial staff, librarians, historians, etc. Many schools, however, are facing huge budget cuts, so some positions are being eliminated. The larger the village, the more varied the positions.

The #1 thing most Bush residents want is an auto mechanic, followed by someone skilled in small engine repair for ATVs, snow machines, and boats. Someone skilled in veterinary medicine would also be a welcome addition to most communities, as would a competent hair dresser or barber. IT support would also be helpful. A certified electrician is needed just about anywhere. Someone with carpentry, finishing, mudding, or flooring skills would also be helpful. Unfortunately, the need for these services isn't enough to provide full-time employment in the smaller villages, so such people would need to pick up other work.

Tourists and out-of-town visitors would appreciate rental cars, boats, ATVs, or even bicycles, plus a place to eat that doesn't involve getting pre-packaged food from the local store. Some of the small villages actually have a restaurant or two, and the larger communities have taxi service.

For anyone who is willing to work and isn't too picky about the type of job, most villages do have opportunities. There is usually an employer or two who will give anyone a job as long as the person is actually willing to work and do a good job. Whether or not such employment provides a living wage is highly debatable.

Are there enough jobs in the villages to provide employment for the villagers themselves plus outsiders?

I know the answer of course, and all you have to look at is at the unemployment figures in the villages, plus the data relating to government assistance.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Are there enough jobs in the villages to provide employment for the villagers themselves plus outsiders?

I know the answer of course, and all you have to look at is at the unemployment figures in the villages, plus the data relating to government assistance.

Modern era villages have historically grown (especially economically) when outsiders moved in, bringing innovation and entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, such people are often resented. The villages in which I lived always seemed to be able to absorb outsiders.

My view regarding unemployment figures and government assistance are definitely not politically correct, so I'll leave those issues for others to draw their own conclusions.

[Metlakatla]

I'm curious -- the populations in most villages seems to be shrinking. Which ones have grown and prospered?

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I'm curious -- the populations in most villages seems to be shrinking. Which ones have grown and prospered?

Some of the larger hubs are growing I believe. It's your smaller more remote locations with no economic future that are shrinking.

I know at our school we have lost about 12 kids total in 3 years. That's a lot.

[incognitoe]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

What Croosfire600 said above (relating to rural Alaska).

If any jobs, these are very few and available from the local governments. If you don't have a job, nor a pension, then:

-Welfare
-Medicare/Aid
-Social Security

Wait, red state Alaska advice is to go on welfare. lol

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I'm curious -- the populations in most villages seems to be shrinking. Which ones have grown and prospered?

The smaller villages do seem to be shrinking because of shifting dynamics. I was mainly referring to the growth villages have faced over the last century as people moved in and brought innovation. I'm convinced the same thing can happen today, which is why I listed some of the specialties villagers would like to see added to their communities. When a visionary invests money in a community and provides answers for a community's needs, people are more willing to stay. If the endeavor can provide jobs, people will flock to the community. That's how villages have grown. It simply takes people with a vision, a workable plan, and the requisite skills, capital, and leadership to see the vision to fruition.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by incognitoe

Wait, red state Alaska advice is to go on welfare. lol

Did I say that people should go on Welfare?