How Much Does an RN Make in Alaska in 2026?

A typical RN in Alaska earns about $52.64 per hour ($109,480 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Spread across the year, that comes out to roughly $9,123 a month. On a weekly basis, calculated from the annual figure, pay works out to about $2,105. Those numbers reflect pay across the whole state, before considering city or experience differences.

Alaska's typical RN pay sits about 12% above the national figure of $97,550 a year (or $46.90 an hour), according to the same May 2025 data. That gap places Alaska 5th among all 51 states for RN pay. Around 7,510 RNs work in the state, compared with about 3,379,720 nationwide, giving a sense of scale. For someone weighing a move, Alaska's pay stands out as one of the highest in the country.

Entry-level positions in Alaska typically offer around $40.88 an hour (about $85,030 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is the starting point for RNs new to the field or new to the state. Pay generally rises from there, moving toward the state's typical figure of $109,480 as nurses gain a few years of experience. The climb reflects added skill and often a shift into higher-paying units or facilities.

Experienced RNs in Alaska often earn upwards of $62.07 an hour (about $129,100 a year), and the top 10% make over $71.67 an hour ($149,070 a year), per the same data. The gap between entry-level and top pay runs to $64,040 a year. Setting plays a large part: larger hospitals, specialty units, and added certifications tend to pay more than smaller or rural facilities. Experience and city shape where an RN lands in that range.

Alaska's RN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical RN in Alaska earned $88,130 a year; by 2025, that figure reached $109,480, according to the latest government wage data. That's a gain of $21,350, or 24%, over ten years. The rise was not perfectly steady, with pay dipping slightly in a couple of years along the way before climbing again.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, a faster pace than Alaska's 24% gain. That difference means Alaska's pay advantage over the national figure has narrowed somewhat since 2015, even though Alaska still pays more in dollar terms. For someone starting a nursing career in Alaska now, the record shows pay has moved up over time, though nothing guarantees that pattern will continue at the same rate.

Anchorage, the state's largest city, is also where RN pay runs highest. RNs there earn about $115,290 a year ($55.43 an hour), which is 5% above the statewide figure of $109,480. That figure covers Anchorage's full metro area, not just the city center. Anchorage also has the largest number of RNs working in the state, at about 4,990.

Because Alaska's wage data centers on Anchorage, pay elsewhere in the state is not broken out separately, but nursing pay across Alaska tends to stay fairly uniform relative to this hub. Anchorage's higher cost of living compared with smaller Alaska communities is part of why its pay runs a bit above the state figure. RNs considering a move within Alaska should weigh local housing and living costs alongside the paycheck itself.

RNs in Alaska typically earn $109,480 a year, a figure that has climbed 24% over the past decade and remains well above the national rate. That pay reflects a state where nursing work is well compensated relative to much of the country. For specific requirements, check Alaska's state nursing licensing or registry page; for local figures beyond the statewide number, see the city-level pages for Anchorage and other Alaska communities.