[Sooth2222]

In Alaska's economy, a degree is less important for providing than in the lower 48. From what I understand, Alaska is a state where someone can make more money as an uneducated fur trapper than a lot of people can with a college diploma.

If you've been following "Deadliest Catch" and do the mental arithmetic, the crew members earn more than many doctors and lawyers do in the lower 48.

[Thane_Banquo]

If you've been following "Deadliest Catch" and do the mental arithmetic, the crew members earn more than many doctors and lawyers do in the lower 48.

When I visited Alaska on vacation, we went to a presentation by a professional fur trapper. He would tell us, "I get X for this pelt, and I trap about Z per season, and I get Y for this pelt, and I trap about Q per season." The season, IIRC, is no more than 6 months. I did the mental arithmetic and realized he makes about $70k in 6 months of work, not to mention the considerable amount he makes during tourist season with these presentations.