The days of the gold rush in Alaska are long gone, but this largest and most northern state in the United States continues to attract the attention of all those who dream of wealth. On the one hand, working in Alaska gives you a chance to earn good money by honest work. The principle is clearly at work here: “Do you want more? Work more. " On the other hand, the working conditions are not easy: the harsh climate, hard physical labor. But this does not stop the citizens from the CIS, who know how to work hard, but at home receive a pittance for it. Therefore, the question of the pros and cons of working in Alaska is very relevant.
Working in Alaska: the main trump cards
It's worth starting with the best. Here is a paradise for workaholics, and the working day can last from 8 to 16 hours. However, it is customary to pay for overtime work not with a big "thank you", but with a salary with an increased coefficient - up to 1.5.
There are other benefits as well:
- official employment in the United States with a full social package;
- high salaries;
- the employer provides the employee with adequate food and housing, provides uniforms, laundry, pays all or part of the cost of transport;
- the opportunity to get a seasonal job, for example, during the summer months, which is important for students;
- there is work for everyone - for both men and women;
- the pristine beauty of Alaska's nature.
Much will depend on the specific situation. Some companies offer more comfortable living, others offer more flexible working hours or higher wages.
Those who are thinking about emigration and permanent residence should take into account that this northernmost state ranks last in terms of attractiveness of employment for US citizens and that the Alaskan authorities are more loyal than in the southern states to foreign specialists who wish to settle here.
Who are happy to see in Alaska: in-demand professions
The most promising industries for employment in Alaska are:
- Fishing industry. The USA has the richest fisheries. More than a hundred small and large companies are engaged in the extraction and processing of seafood in Alaska. The infrastructure includes several thousand seiners and boats, onshore fish processing plants and floating bases. There is enough work for everyone - both at sea and on the shore. The labor shortage is especially felt during the fishing season:
- January-April, June-October - cod fishing;
- January – March - pollock and pollock harvesting;
- May – November - salmon, halibut, black cod;
- June-August - pollock;
- September - crab fishing (the most profitable way of earning money).
Skilled workers of maritime specialties (sailors, minders, fishermen and others) can apply for vacancies on ships. Unskilled workers, including students, are more likely to get hired as a Seafood Processor. This vacancy involves working on a conveyor belt for sorting, cutting, packing, loading, etc. marine products, the production of finished products and semi-finished products in canneries, etc.
- Oil and gas industry. Vacancies are available in Alaska for Russians, Ukrainians and other citizens of the former USSR in companies involved in the extraction of hydrocarbon carriers. Experienced skilled drillers, mechanics, engineers, electricians and others with shift work experience are valued on offshore platforms and drilling rigs. There is also a need for unskilled personnel as handymen.
- The sphere of tourism. Among the professions demanded today in Alaska are guide rangers, guides, hotel workers, fishing instructors, sailors and staff on cruise ships. Knowledge of English is indispensable here.
There is also a demand for truck and tanker truck drivers. It should be noted that working as a driver in Alaska requires an applicant for a vacancy, in addition to high qualifications and experience, a permit-license from local authorities.
Construction specialists, electricians, locksmiths, nurses, IT specialists, lumberjacks, forest cleaners, etc. are always required.
Basic requirements for the applicant and working conditions
Employers can put forward a variety of requirements regarding experience, language skills, age, qualifications, etc. The main requirements for applicants are good health, physical strength and endurance, communication skills and stress resistance. Higher education is encouraged, but not required.
For unskilled workers, there are certain age restrictions: not younger than 18 years old and not older than 39-40 years for women and 45-50 years old for men.
In many cases, the applicant must not use alcohol and drugs (including marijuana) while working under a contract. Sudden checks may be carried out.
Such attention to the health of the employee is explained by the fact that in most cases one has to live and work here in difficult climatic conditions, perform work associated with heavy physical exertion, overtime, and high rates of the labor process. Therefore, the employer wants to be sure that the employee does not terminate the contract for health reasons.
Knowledge of English is desirable, especially since it can help you get a higher-paying position.
Working conditions may differ in detail depending on a particular company and are specified in detail in contracts.
In most cases, work in a fish factory lasts from 8 to 14 hours a day. Overtime (overtime over 8 hours a day or over 40 hours a week) is charged at an increased rate. During fishing season, when every minute counts, such processing is rather the norm. At the same time, there are situations when, due to a storm or for other reasons, there is no catch, and then you can sit without work for several days, and therefore without earning money.
You should also be prepared for the fact that, despite the use of modern technologies and equipment, you will have to work in unfavorable conditions: constant humidity, unpleasant odor, cold, noise, monotony, increased threat of injury.
The work schedule will be set upon arrival at the site. During the working day, there are two long breaks (30-45 minutes each) and several coffee breaks of 10 minutes each for eating and resting.
Depending on the company and the degree of interest in workers from abroad, contracts may contain additional bonuses: free housing (rooms, cottages for 4-5 people), provision of the necessary equipment, etc. If this is not provided, then you should inquire about the rental price (from $ 150 to $ 300 per month).
For example, Ocean Beauty Seafoods offers two options to choose from:
- pay $ 10.87 per hour, $ 15.305 per hour of overtime. Accommodation and meals are fully refunded at the end of the season;
- pay $ 11.17 per hour, $ 16.75 for overtime hour, but with $ 10.00 non-refundable accommodation per day.
In addition, delivery is provided from the cities of Anchorage and Seattle to sites.
Seiner fishermen, as a rule, purchase clothes and boots on their own for their own money. Living conditions on ships also vary greatly - from the general cockpit to cabins with showers and toilets.
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Job Listing in Alaska
It is quite possible to find a job in Alaska on your own, provided you know the basics of the English language. It is best to start your search from the official government sites, where you can find information about official employers:
- laborstats.alaska.gov - State Department of Human Resources;
- jobs.state.ak.us/offices/ - Alaska Employment Center;
- the site alaska-summer-jobs.com/ is dedicated to finding seasonal work for the summer.
Such search engine sites are very popular as:
- indeed.com,
- coolworks.com,
- governmentjobs.com,
- monster.com.
Most of the offers can be found in Anchorage - the largest city in the state.
In the capital of Alaska, Juneau, tourism is the most interesting for seasonal work. Small towns - Kenai, Dutch Harbor and others - offer jobs in the fishing industry, Valdez - jobs for oil workers.
What is required for CIS citizens to apply for a job in Alaska
Those wishing to work in Alaska temporarily or permanently will need a work visa to the United States. The type of visa issued must correspond to the purpose and type of work performed. So, for highly qualified workers and narrow specialists who have concluded contracts for permanent work, an H-2B visa will be required. An annual quota of 66 thousand has been set for it in the United States.
Entry on a tourist visa followed by illegal work is punishable by law.
You must apply for a visa within a period of up to 90 days, and enter the country no earlier than 10 days before the start of work.
To apply for a visa, you must:
- pay the consular fee ($ 190);
- Submit Form DS-160 online
- have a passport valid for another 6 months after returning from the United States;
- provide a photo of 50x50 mm;
- make an appointment for an interview at the consulate. Have with you at the meeting all the papers that will contribute to a positive decision: confirmation of qualifications, work experience, education documents, a certificate from the bank on the movement of funds, documents for real estate.
Students who registered in the Work and Travel Alaska program and were given the opportunity to live and work in the United States for 4 + 1 months should apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. The advantage of this visa is that students are not tied to an employer and can move to another.
For the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa you will need:
- international passport;
- photo 50x50 mm;
- summary;
- documents from the university;
- certificate of good conduct.
After the interview with the sponsor visa (via Skype), you need to pay the consular fee ($ 160) and wait for the interview at the US consulate.
Employment through intermediaries: firms and recruitment agencies
Experience suggests that it is better to choose one of the official recruitment agencies in the United States as an intermediary, or use one of the special programs, for example, Career Training USA.
When looking for a job in the United States, it makes sense to leave your resume at one of the reliable American recruiting companies. However, there is not a single Alaska-based company on the Forbes Top 250 list.
State employment offices only work with those applicants who already have a work visa or Green Card.
The state has several private resources:
- AlaskaJobFinder,
- AlaskaFishJobs.com,
- Alaska Fishing Jobs.com,
- Alaska Fishing Jobs Center.
By registering for them and making an annual subscription ($ 13-18), you can create a personal profile, get access to the database, mailings of information, and the timing of the formation of crews.
In the countries of the former USSR - Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and others - there is a wide range of offers for migrants from various recruitment agencies that contact employers in Alaska (for example, juneau.flagma.com).
Algorithm of actions:
- signing an agreement with the agency;
- provision by the applicant of scans of the passport, identification code, resume, which are sent by the agency to the employer;
- paperwork - the agency provides assistance;
- preparation by the American side of the contract, which is sent to the consulate;
- payment by the applicant of the consular fee after receiving the contract number;
- payment for services to intermediaries;
- after obtaining a visa - purchase of travel documents.
These intermediary services can cost between US $ 300 and US $ 500, and there is a risk of falling into the hands of fraudsters.
Features of work in Alaska for citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan
Work for Ukrainians in Alaska is as affordable as for citizens from other countries of the world. Over the past few years, there has been a reorientation of migratory labor flows of Ukrainians from Russia towards Europe and the American continent. The US government, as well as individual states (including Alaska), are pursuing a most-favored-nation policy for Ukrainian migrants.
For Kazakhstanis, the most common channel for applying for seasonal work in Alaska is the Work and Travel program.
Complicated political and economic relations and the ongoing confrontation between the United States and the Russian Federation have negatively affected the issuance of short-term work visas to Russians. Their responses indicate that American employers prefer to hire Ukrainians.
Speaking about the possibilities of finding a job for Belarusians, it is worth noting that the situation is approximately the same as with Ukrainians and Kazakhstanis.
What salary can you expect in Alaska
In 2021, the weekly median wage in Alaska averages about $ 1,100, while the median wage in the United States is $ 887 per week.
For seasonal workers, hourly wages are more important. The minimum wage per hour of work in the United States is $ 7.25. In Alaska, this figure is higher - $ 9.89 (from 01.01.2021).
Unskilled labor is generally paid at minimum rates. It is worth listening to the advice of experienced workers: you should contact one employer - the hourly wage will increase by $ 1.5 in the next season.
Speaking about the salary, it should be borne in mind that a wide variety of factors can affect its size. So, in the fishing industry - dependence on the catch, demand for products, the size of the company. On average, earnings can be 2,000-3,000 per month.
Work in the fishery is more highly paid. Fishermen and deck sailors can receive from 1.5 to 10% of the value of the gross catch. On some vessels, instead of a percentage of the catch, they pay from $ 50 to $ 100 per day. For 10 weeks of Putin, earnings can be up to $ 10,000 or more.
Alaska taxes
Alaska is one of the 8 US states with the most favorable conditions for working taxpayers. Here, in addition to the absence of taxes on sales and on motor vehicles, there is another advantage - the state tax on personal income tax has been abolished.
The state government was able to take such a step because of the super-profits that the oil and gas industries bring. So, every year, local residents receive dividend payments from the State's Permanent Fund from oil revenues: in 2021, it accounts for $ 1,022 per person. However, there is a possibility that due to the sharp drop in oil and gas prices from 2021, the state government will reconsider this issue and decide on the introduction of personal income tax.
All federal taxes in Alaska - on income (from 10 to 37% on a progressive scale), social tax (6.2%), medical tax (1.45%) remain in force.
How expensive is it to live in Alaska
Living in the northernmost state of the United States is expensive. It will not work to save on heat, electricity, warm clothes. Prices here exceed the average American and practically eat up higher wages, the absence of some state taxes, additional payments.
Nevertheless, the standard of living in Alaska is quite high, there is an excellent system of social support, the population receives high-quality services and environmentally friendly products, especially of marine origin.
Prices for some goods and services in Anchorage:
| Products / services | Price, USD |
|---|---|
| Loaf of bread | 4.14 |
| Milk (1 l) | 1.04 |
| Water bottle (1.5 L) | 2.38 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 2.2 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | 5.19 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 6.2 |
| Eggs (12 pcs.) | 3.59 |
| Chicken fillet (1 kg) | 9.16 |
| Cigarettes (1 p.) | 10 |
| Gasoline AI 95 (1 l) | 0.72 |
| Rent a 1-room apartment (sleeping area) | 990 |
| Cinema ticket | 12.00 |
| Levis 501 Jeans | 41.55 |
| Lunch at a cafe | 12.00 |
Own business for Russians in Alaska
The United States continues to be a country of great opportunities, including for Russians who have received a green card.All conditions have been created in Alaska to create and develop their own business in the United States, and local authorities are interested in business development and provide entrepreneurs with a number of advantages.
Among them:
- favorable taxation;
- well-thought-out business lending system (interest rate - from 1%).
Citizens of the Russian Federation who lived in Siberia, the North or the Far East have certain advantages: they are already accustomed to cold weather, short summers and fogs and it will be easier for them to acclimatize. In Alaska, you can buy a ready-made business, you can open a branch of your ready-made business, you can start from scratch - open a new firm or company.
Among the most promising areas for Russian business immigration: the provision of personal services to the population, the establishment of recruiting firms, gaming and tourism business.
Instead of a conclusion
Citizens of the CIS in 2021 have the opportunity to apply for a short-term work visa in the United States or use the Work and Travel program to work in the state of Alaska. The largest number of vacancies is in the fishing industry. First of all, this is work on a floating fish factory, seiners and fishing vessels, land-based factories for processing sea products.
The demand for labor is year-round - fish are caught throughout the entire 12 months. Persons without high qualifications, both men and women, can get a job.
Average monthly salaries range from 2,000 to 3,000 thousand US dollars. Citizens of Ukraine and Kazakhstan have more chances to conclude a contract for seasonal work. There are vacancies and an order for oil workers, lumberjacks, drivers, nurses.
At the same time, the state is distinguished by extremely unfavorable climatic features. Working here is fraught with risks and difficulties, therefore it requires excellent health and patience from applicants so that they do not have to leave without earning money.
