Average salary in Alaska

Average salary in Alaska by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Alaska’s own cities can vary in average salary, depending on industry and work opportunities, but Anchorage has an average of above $85,000 while Bethel’s average sits below $60,000.  

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the 10 largest cities in Alaska, which you can find ranked below.  

Average salary in Alaska by borough

Reviewing average salaries in Alaska by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Alaska by borough, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each borough.  

Highest paying jobs in Alaska

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Alaska: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

SoFi Learn has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.  

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Alaska

What is the average salary in Alaska by age? 

Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Alaska are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.  

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 in Alaska have a median income of $42,082; householders aged 25 to 44 years old have a median income of $77,231; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $93,583; and those 65 and older have a median income of $54,908. 

What is a ‘good’ salary in Alaska? 

A 'good' salary in Alaska depends on various factors such as the cost of living, location, and occupation. The median household income in Alaska was $81,480 in 2019, according to the United States Census Bureau. However, because of Alaska's remote location and high cost of living, a 'good' salary may be higher than the state median. 

What is the average salary in Alaska by hour? 

If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Alaska is $28.73.  

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