Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in Alaska 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
Alaska RN salaries average $92,000/year in 2026: among the highest in the US. No state income tax, hardship differentials, and NLC compact membership.
In this article
Alaska registered nurses earn an average of $92,000 per year in 2026, one of the highest average RN salaries in the US. The combination of remote hardship differentials, no state income tax, and rural shortage incentives makes total compensation exceptionally strong for nurses willing to work in the Last Frontier.
Alaska RN Salary by City (2026)
| City / Region | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $94,000 | $45.19 |
| Fairbanks | $90,500 | $43.51 |
| Juneau | $89,000 | $42.79 |
| Ketchikan | $87,500 | $42.07 |
| Sitka | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| Rural / Bush Alaska | $95,000-$115,000 | $45.67-$55.29 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Alaska
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $245,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $108,000 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $104,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $101,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $97,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $90,000 |
Top Employers in Alaska
- Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage; largest hospital in the state, top salaries
- Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), Anchorage; federally operated, federal pay scale plus Alaska differentials
- Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Interior Alaska's primary hospital; hardship differentials
- Bartlett Regional Hospital, Juneau; Southeast Alaska's major referral center
- SEARHC (Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium), tribal system; rural sites with housing and relocation packages
NLC Compact Status
Alaska is a full NLC compact member. RNs with an Alaska multistate license may practice in any NLC compact state without a separate license. Bush and remote Alaska positions frequently recruit compact-licensed nurses from the Lower 48 for short-term assignments.
No State Income Tax
Alaska has no state income tax, adding roughly 4-8% to effective take-home pay compared to states with moderate income taxes. Travel nurses on assignment may also qualify for tax-free per diem stipends.
Alaska RN Market Outlook
Alaska has some of the most severe nursing shortages in the country, rural bush communities served by tribal health organizations frequently offer housing, relocation, and sign-on bonuses of $10,000-$25,000. Travel RN rates in Anchorage run $2,200-$2,800/week, among the highest in the US.
Related: RN Salary Washington 2026, RN Salary Oregon 2026, Alaska RN License Guide.
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