THE ALASKA EXPERIENCE:

Why You Should Take a Summer Job in Anchorage

Anchorage is Alaska’s biggest city, but it’s still close to mountains and other wilderness areas, making it one of the best places to spend your summer working. You could get a summer job flipping burgers or pass the days melting by the pool. But if you’re more adventurous at heart and want to make money while you’re at it, you should consider a summer job in Anchorage.

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  • Prime location

    From Anchorage, you have your choice of dozens of national parks, with Denali a five-hour drive north and Wrangell-Saint Elias Mountain National Park only four-and-a-half hours east. Anchorage is also an international hub for flights and major shipping companies, so take advantage of your new home base to launch your own journey.

    Financial incentives

    Alaska does not charge sales tax, which means the purchase price on goods is the exact price you pay at the register. Plus, individual income is not taxed, thanks to subsidies from the strong oil and gas industry in Alaska. And since Alaska’s minimum wage is among the highest in the country, you stand to take home more than the average summer job. On top of all that, Alaska also has a daily overtime policy, which pays workers time-and-a-half for hours exceeding a normal eight-hour workday. The financial incentives are abundant in the 49th state.

    Young residents

    The average age of the state of Alaska is 33 and almost 80 percent of the population is under the age of 50. Maybe it’s the allure of the impressive mountain ranges or the air of possibility, but odds are in your favor that you’ll run into young, like-minded summer workers like yourself.

    Extra sunlight

    Summertime in Anchorage affords residents 19 hours of daylight, which means extra sunshine for outdoor activities like fishing, biking, and hiking. The average daytime temperature of summer months May through September hovers around the mid-50s to mid-60s, perfect weather for adventuring.

    Local food and fare

    Alaska is a buffet of fresh seafood and locally sourced big game, with more than a dozen impressive craft breweries located in Anchorage. Spend your days off tasting your way across the city.

    What are you waiting for? Get started! Browse current job openings and find your next summer gig in Alaska.