25 Awesome Jobs In Alaska That Let You Work Hard And Play Harder
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Courtney
Author
The last frontier, the 49th state, the land of all things bigger and better… Living in Alaska means appreciating life on a whole new level. Up here we don’t live to work, we work to live. And because our top three industries are petroleum, tourism and fishing – we actually have the keen ability to ‘work and play’ at the same time. For us, ‘Alaska or Bust’ is about more than just the destination, it’s about the journey. These 25 awesome jobs in Alaska that let you work hard, and play harder will leave you more excited than ever to soak life in.
In the fall and winter months, there are actually tour companies that specialize in taking being up north to see some of the most amazing Aurora Borealis shows on the planet. How spoiled their eyes must be!
The oil and gas industry is the largest in the entire state of Alaska and the majority of our hard working employees are up at Prudhoe Bay. But although they work long days and weeks straight without a break, they generally are on a two-week-on, two-week-off rotation (or something similar) which provides the ultimate work hard/play hard balance.
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Driving people that have a genuine love and interest in Alaska around a National Park all day while looking at stunning mountain peaks and incredible wildlife? Sign us up!
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When your job is to get people high on life, it's hard not to go home at the end of the day feeling like you are on top of the world.
With six producing mines in Alaska, these guys and gals work their tushes off and put their lives in jeopardy everyday while doing so. The up side? Generally good pay and a schedule that allows for ample time to get away and play.
Spending long days on the river fishing for salmon, dollies, rainbows and steel-head... now that is living the dream!
Just for the halibut! Well, and the rock-fish, salmon and lingcod. No sea sickness allowed with these hard working fishing guides.
Woo-sah! As one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, these guys are the definition of work hard and play harder. After putting in endless days during the seasonal months, it's all worth it when a good paycheck comes and you have the whole winter off to enjoy it.
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Adrenaline junkies need apply! This is one for the true adventure hounds. With epic views like that, it's hard to imagine ever going back to a desk job.
Responsible hunting and sustainable living is a way of life in Alaska. These seasoned guides know how to get us to the best spots to find delicious meat to fill our freezers.
When your job involves playing in the woods all day and making people smile from ear to ear, it's hard not to love what you do.
I mean... if a picture says a thousand words, we need to know why this one leaves us speechless! This phenomenal job certainly has its risks, but MAN are we lucky to reap in the rewards.
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The bears in Alaska are truly fascinating. People come from all around the world to experience them (safely) up close and personal. These knowledgeable guides get to share Alaska's love for wildlife with visitors. Now THAT is a fun job!
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When you work in one of the most beautiful and epic places in the world (i.e. - anywhere in Alaska), it's hard not to fall in love with a lifestyle that includes 5 months of hard work and the rest of the year off to play.
Painting smiles on faces from sun up to sun down, now THAT is what working hard and playing harder is all about.
Shredding the pow and teaching others how to equally fall in love with it, all day long. Talk about living the dream!
From cruise ship to land excursion, these tour guides are experts in showing off the beauty of Alaska. And if you wonder how they stay so enthusiastic all the time, it's probably because they half the year off! 😉
The dream job. Playing out side all day long and protecting and preserving our beautiful land. A big round of applause for these incredible workers!
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When you get to journey up and down the entire state of Alaska all day long, the constant stimulation of incredible beauty makes going to work so much easier.
What a job! Playing on snow machines all day long. And then taking the summers off. Sign us up!
This seasonal job truly does encompass a work hard/play hard mentality, all in the name of GOLD. Getting your hands dirty with a backdrop of breathtaking Alaska landscapes to earn a paycheck, now that is living right there!
If you've never taken a Kenai Fjords Tour, you MUST. Get up close and personal with mountains, orcas, wildlife and glaciers. It's fascinating. And the guides, well shoot... they only have to work half the year. Dream job!
So much respect for these truly daring and dedicated guides helping people from all around the world summit Denali. What a job!
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Getting paid to take people into beautiful places in Alaska all day, and just for the summer months? Yeah, we are all about this awesome job.
When your job is this peaceful, relaxing and filled with phenomenal sights, it's hard to imagine EVER doing anything else.
If you were to quit your day job and live the ultimate work/life balance lifestyle, what job would you choose?
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