Although the area is rich in minerals, Ross River's economy has not benefited much in terms of mining jobs. With the slump in mining activity in the Yukon over the past several years, mining is not seen as any support for the local economy.
Construction provided 11 percent of total employment in 2001, reflecting a strong investment picture at the start of the 2000s.
The government services sector includes Yukon territorial departments, federal, municipal, and First Nation administration. It provides the largest share of employment in Ross River, employing some 40 percent of all workers. First Nation administration and development provide a significant number of jobs to First Nations people. Territorial government services also provide some government administration jobs for Ross River residents. Education, at 11 percent of total employment, and health services, at 6 percent, employ a smaller but still sizeable proportion of workers.
Accommodation, food services, recreation and arts all provide jobs in the Ross River community. Some of these jobs are linked to the provision of services for mining exploration, but the major demand for services comes from local people, business visitors and tourism. Wilderness guiding provides some employment. Hunting, in particular, extends the typical summer tourist season into the fall. The popularity of the area among Yukon hunters increases the seasonal traffic substantially.
Other industry sectors, such as agriculture, logging, finance and other services, involve too few people to show measurable employment.
Some Ross River residents identify trapping as their main area of work. In addition, many people in Ross River practice subsistence economic activities, supplying themselves with much of their food through hunting and fishing.
