Alaska: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #26 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 733,391.
Alaska ranks #26 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (41.9). Information carries the lowest risk at 31.5 (Moderate), while Construction is the most challenging at 60.9 (High). The 29.4-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 49,726 jobs.
Alaska: 41.9 Average Entry Risk
Alaska at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Alaska
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Alaska.
Entry Risk by Industry in Alaska
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Alaska. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Alaska Industry Data: 18,456 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information NAICS 51 | 31.5 | #3/51 | 510 | 4,380 | $88,496 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 31.6 | #14/51 | 2,147 | 30,665 | $34,326 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 34.9 | #15/51 | 732 | 4,457 | $59,837 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 37.2 | #5/51 | 2,360 | 34,895 | $41,648 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 38.0 | #21/51 | 3,172 | 13,770 | $93,860 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 38.0 | #20/51 | 1,706 | 12,021 | $60,951 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 46.6 | #31/51 | 1,847 | 10,769 | $54,798 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 49.7 | #21/51 | 888 | 6,002 | $85,500 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 50.3 | #44/51 | 2,497 | 49,726 | $73,312 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 60.9 | #50/51 | 2,597 | 18,528 | $101,740 |
Largest Industries in Alaska by Employment
Metro Markets in Alaska
2 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
Compare Other States
Browse all 51 state markets to compare entry risk conditions.
Alaska: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Alaska's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Alaska averages 41.9 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #26 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Alaska?
Information carries the lowest entry risk in Alaska at 31.5 (Moderate). It employs 4,380 workers across 510 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Alaska?
Construction posts Alaska's highest entry risk at 60.9 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Alaska?
18,456 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Alaska, employing 185,213 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Alaska's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Alaska with 49,726 jobs across 2,497 establishments and an entry risk score of 50.3.