Alaska's Health Care Industry

Health care is an indispensable service, just like running water, electricity, public education, police and fire protection, roads and highways, and other hallmarks of developed nations. Because everyone needs a doctor at some point, it's an industry with a guaranteed customer base. In 2010, the health care industry accounted for about 9 percent of jobs in Alaska. It was the fourth largest industry, with 31,800 jobs and a payroll of $1.53 billion.