Highest-paying jobs in Alaska
Answer
Family Medicine Physicians have the highest median pay in Alaska, $323,490 a year, followed by airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers ($232,140) and dentists, general ($230,990). The median for all jobs in Alaska is $61,000, 4th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 3rd.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $61,000
- 4th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $29.33
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 102.4
- Median worth $59,594 at US prices (3rd)
- Jobs
- 325,570
- 488 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 200 jobs in Alaska, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Alaska are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Alaska
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $323,490 | $155.52 | 760 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,140 | — | 1,350 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Dentists, General | $230,990 | $111.05 | 310 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Petroleum Engineers | $206,290 | $99.18 | 280 | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Pharmacists | $167,310 | $80.44 | 560 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Chief Executives | $166,710 | $80.15 | 640 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $164,260 | $78.97 | 900 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Industrial Engineers | $156,510 | $75.25 | 220 | $102,440 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Nurse Practitioners | $155,170 | $74.60 | 710 | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| 10 | Physician Assistants | $150,700 | $72.45 | 700 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 11 | Lawyers | $149,940 | $72.09 | 1,120 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 12 | Construction Managers | $139,190 | $66.92 | 1,720 | $114,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $137,320 | $66.02 | 320 | $106,040 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Massage Therapists | $134,930 | $64.87 | 570 | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $133,490 | $64.18 | 970 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Dental Hygienists | $132,690 | $63.79 | 790 | $98,100 | Associate's degree |
| 17 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $132,240 | $63.58 | 1,640 | $123,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Natural Sciences Managers | $130,590 | $62.79 | 710 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Human Resources Managers | $129,570 | $62.29 | 610 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Financial Managers | $127,030 | $61.07 | 2,020 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Electrical Engineers | $125,970 | $60.56 | 350 | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $125,520 | — | 890 | $105,870 | Master's degree |
| 23 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $124,630 | $59.92 | 300 | $106,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $124,530 | $59.87 | 370 | $96,710 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 25 | Mechanical Engineers | $124,340 | $59.78 | 380 | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Alaska without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $137,320 | $66.02 | 320 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $124,530 | $59.87 | 370 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $106,480 | $51.19 | 1,090 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Construction and Building Inspectors | $102,410 | $49.24 | 270 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $102,140 | $49.10 | 2,690 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $99,130 | $47.66 | 1,260 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,420 | $47.32 | 300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $98,110 | $47.17 | 2,720 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $97,450 | $46.85 | 390 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Sheet Metal Workers | $94,600 | $45.48 | 240 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $93,920 | $45.15 | 1,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $92,960 | $44.69 | 240 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $92,470 | $44.46 | 490 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Electricians | $89,440 | $43.00 | 1,870 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Power Plant Operators | $88,870 | $42.73 | 650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Alaska
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Salespersons | 7,890 | $37,290 | $17.93 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Registered Nurses | 7,510 | $109,480 | $52.64 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 6,770 | $40,310 | $19.38 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 6,530 | $39,740 | $19.11 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | General and Operations Managers | 6,020 | $116,630 | $56.07 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 5,900 | $33,280 | $16.00 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Cashiers | 5,810 | $36,130 | $17.37 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 5,690 | $69,840 | $33.58 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 5,390 | $48,530 | $23.33 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 5,200 | $40,510 | $19.48 | No formal educational credential |
| 11 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 4,590 | $60,270 | $28.97 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 4,580 | $56,430 | $27.13 | Some college, no degree |
| 13 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 4,250 | $44,510 | $21.40 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Waiters and Waitresses | 3,830 | $26,310 | $12.65 | No formal educational credential |
| 15 | Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 3,810 | $37,190 | — | Some college, no degree |
| 16 | Construction Laborers | 3,690 | $58,060 | $27.91 | No formal educational credential |
| 17 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 3,500 | $79,260 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Office Clerks, General | 3,440 | $51,890 | $24.95 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 3,420 | $70,100 | $33.70 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 20 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | 3,050 | $77,810 | $37.41 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Alaska
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ship Engineers | 23.8× | 420 | $88,190 |
| 2 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 23.2× | 300 | $124,630 |
| 3 | Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 17.2× | 650 | $90,370 |
| 4 | Tour and Travel Guides | 14.8× | 1,660 | $44,210 |
| 5 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | 12.0× | 1,090 | $106,480 |
| 6 | Power Plant Operators | 10.6× | 650 | $88,870 |
| 7 | Air Traffic Controllers | 10.3× | 490 | $123,950 |
| 8 | Commercial Pilots | 10.1× | 1,000 | $100,120 |
| 9 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | 9.2× | 710 | $88,230 |
| 10 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 8.8× | 430 | $107,410 |
| 11 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | 7.9× | 500 | $68,160 |
| 12 | Motorcycle Mechanics | 7.8× | 220 | $45,500 |
What 119 careers pay in Alaska
Click a heading to sort
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | — | — | $391,490 | 120 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $239,200+ | — | — | $358,550 | 30 |
| OB-GYN | $421,450 | 2 | $411,737 | $292,910 | 50 |
| Neurologist | $354,760 | 7 | $346,584 | $248,560 | 100 |
| Psychiatrist | $342,170 | 3 | $334,284 | $281,870 | 50 |
| CRNA | $341,210 | 1 | $333,346 | $236,590 | 90 |
| Pediatrician | $267,390 | 6 | $261,228 | $210,040 | 60 |
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 | 9 | $226,790 | $232,140 | 1,350 |
| Dentist | $230,990 | 1 | $225,667 | $170,950 | 310 |
| Judge | $183,310 | 14 | $179,085 | $153,990 | 140 |
| Optometrist | $170,310 | 1 | $166,385 | $136,570 | 60 |
| Pharmacist | $167,310 | 1 | $163,454 | $140,910 | 560 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $155,170 | 5 | $151,594 | $132,300 | 710 |
| Physician Assistant | $150,700 | 8 | $147,227 | $135,880 | 700 |
| Lawyer | $149,940 | 16 | $146,484 | $159,670 | 1,120 |
| Construction Manager | $139,190 | 4 | $135,982 | $114,990 | 1,720 |
| Massage Therapist | $134,930 | 1 | $131,820 | $58,450 | 570 |
| Nurse Midwife | $133,430 | 17 | $130,355 | $134,040 | 60 |
| Dental Hygienist | $132,690 | 2 | $129,632 | $98,100 | 790 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $132,240 | 11 | $129,192 | $123,860 | 1,640 |
| HR Manager | $129,570 | 34 | $126,584 | $149,280 | 610 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,970 | 10 | $123,067 | $120,630 | 350 |
| School Principal | $125,520 | 14 | $122,627 | $105,870 | 890 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,340 | 6 | $121,474 | $104,110 | 380 |
| Psychologist | $124,270 | 4 | $121,406 | $100,580 | 40 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $123,950 | 27 | $121,093 | $148,080 | 490 |
| MRI Technician | $120,610 | 5 | $117,830 | $95,480 | 100 |
| Network Engineer | $119,720 | 33 | $116,961 | $134,050 | 120 |
| Operations Manager | $116,630 | 16 | $113,942 | $105,770 | 6,020 |
| Marketing Manager | $116,270 | 44 | $113,590 | $166,790 | 240 |
| Physical Therapist | $115,280 | 2 | $112,623 | $102,760 | 680 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $114,990 | 27 | $112,340 | $129,180 | 300 |
| Detective | $114,940 | 7 | $112,291 | $93,790 | 140 |
| Civil Engineer | $114,730 | 2 | $112,086 | $100,840 | 1,670 |
| Audiologist | $114,170 | 5 | $111,539 | $95,780 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $109,480 | 5 | $106,957 | $97,550 | 7,510 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $109,480 | 5 | $106,957 | $97,550 | 7,510 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $109,480 | 5 | $106,957 | $97,550 | 7,510 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $109,480 | 5 | $106,957 | $97,550 | 7,510 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $109,480 | 5 | $106,957 | $97,550 | 7,510 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $109,480 | 5 | $106,957 | $97,550 | 7,510 |
| Architect | $108,730 | 4 | $106,224 | $99,280 | 210 |
| Chemical Engineer | $106,080 | 30 | $103,635 | $125,040 | — |
| Ultrasound Technician | $105,670 | 8 | $103,235 | $96,590 | 140 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,680 | 12 | $101,291 | $100,330 | 410 |
| Chiropractor | $103,500 | 5 | $101,115 | $79,200 | 90 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $102,670 | 8 | $100,304 | $97,870 | 340 |
| Financial Analyst | $102,240 | 14 | $99,884 | $102,740 | 190 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $101,710 | 38 | $99,366 | $134,960 | 100 |
| Business Analyst | $100,190 | 20 | $97,881 | $101,860 | 460 |
| Commercial Pilot | $100,120 | 41 | $97,813 | $123,220 | 1,000 |
| Project Manager | $99,580 | 24 | $97,285 | $102,320 | 1,950 |
| Police Officer | $99,130 | 4 | $96,845 | $76,210 | 1,260 |
| Radiology Technician | $98,920 | 7 | $96,640 | $80,110 | 370 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $97,950 | 9 | $95,693 | $82,280 | 180 |
| School Psychologist | $94,460 | 15 | $92,283 | $95,990 | 120 |
| Meteorologist | $94,380 | 30 | $92,205 | $99,070 | — |
| Plumber | $93,920 | 5 | $91,755 | $63,800 | 1,200 |
| Crane Operator | $92,490 | 7 | $90,358 | $68,080 | 50 |
| Lineman | $92,470 | 33 | $90,339 | $95,320 | 490 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $91,150 | 8 | $89,049 | $79,870 | 1,470 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $90,370 | 4 | $88,287 | $76,780 | 650 |
| Electrician | $89,440 | 5 | $87,379 | $63,190 | 1,870 |
| Real Estate Agent | $89,170 | 4 | $87,115 | $52,830 | 170 |
| Nutritionist | $87,980 | 3 | $85,952 | $76,400 | 130 |
| Claims Adjuster | $87,670 | 6 | $85,650 | $78,000 | 220 |
| Data Scientist | $84,110 | 46 | $82,172 | $120,230 | 230 |
| Accountant | $83,460 | 15 | $81,537 | $83,680 | 2,190 |
| School Counselor | $82,900 | 2 | $80,989 | $64,330 | 540 |
| Welder | $80,840 | 1 | $78,977 | $53,750 | 790 |
| LPN | $80,800 | 2 | $78,938 | $64,400 | 290 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $80,770 | 1 | $78,909 | $59,350 | 1,290 |
| Surgical Technician | $80,380 | 5 | $78,528 | $64,650 | 310 |
| High School Teacher | $79,650 | 10 | $77,814 | $72,040 | 2,790 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,260 | 8 | $77,433 | $63,970 | 3,500 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $79,040 | 22 | $77,218 | $74,310 | 160 |
| Librarian | $78,810 | 7 | $76,994 | $68,270 | 350 |
| Financial Advisor | $78,690 | 40 | $76,876 | $105,070 | — |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $77,640 | 6 | $75,851 | $68,380 | 110 |
| HVAC Technician | $77,430 | 2 | $75,646 | $61,010 | 610 |
| HR Specialist | $76,990 | 16 | $75,216 | $75,940 | 1,420 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $75,580 | 3 | $73,838 | $61,770 | 860 |
| Carpenter | $73,860 | 6 | $72,158 | $60,580 | 2,560 |
| Loan Officer | $72,800 | 32 | $71,122 | $76,690 | 490 |
| Paramedic | $71,860 | 10 | $70,204 | $60,600 | 310 |
| TSA Officer | $71,390 | 9 | $69,745 | $66,770 | 440 |
| Correctional Officer | $71,360 | 10 | $69,715 | $58,940 | 850 |
| UX Designer | $71,300 | 33 | $69,657 | $104,000 | 30 |
| Truck Driver | $70,100 | 1 | $68,484 | $58,640 | 3,420 |
| Paralegal | $68,700 | 8 | $67,117 | $62,890 | 570 |
| Substitute Teacher | $66,920 | 1 | $65,378 | $41,670 | 1,420 |
| Bus Driver | $64,150 | 9 | $62,672 | $59,050 | 250 |
| Interior Designer | $63,320 | 26 | $61,861 | $67,190 | 40 |
| IT Support Specialist | $63,110 | 13 | $61,656 | $61,860 | 950 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,570 | 16 | $61,128 | $62,960 | 180 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $61,090 | 8 | $59,682 | $51,140 | 1,070 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $60,950 | 30 | $59,545 | $62,930 | 680 |
| Auto Mechanic | $60,840 | 4 | $59,438 | $50,620 | 1,420 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $60,010 | 29 | $58,627 | $66,940 | 60 |
| Mail Carrier | $59,880 | 21 | $58,500 | $60,550 | 450 |
| Firefighter | $58,830 | 21 | $57,474 | $59,280 | 1,040 |
| Construction Worker | $58,060 | 8 | $56,722 | $47,120 | 3,690 |
| Dental Assistant | $57,710 | 9 | $56,380 | $48,070 | 1,140 |
| EMT | $57,440 | 2 | $56,116 | $44,470 | 310 |
| Private Investigator | $53,440 | 18 | $52,208 | $51,220 | 70 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $52,640 | 4 | $51,427 | $45,750 | 800 |
| Medical Assistant | $52,560 | 2 | $51,349 | $45,690 | 2,140 |
| Chef | $52,190 | 44 | $50,987 | $62,470 | 680 |
| Insurance Agent | $50,500 | 45 | $49,336 | $62,280 | 540 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $49,920 | 10 | $48,770 | $47,700 | 220 |
| Nail Technician | $47,890 | 5 | $46,786 | $35,760 | 180 |
| Vet Tech | $46,480 | 25 | $45,409 | $47,380 | 380 |
| CNA | $46,370 | 14 | $45,301 | $42,260 | 2,060 |
| Personal Trainer | $46,210 | 22 | $45,145 | $47,160 | 800 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,900 | 20 | $44,842 | $45,230 | 210 |
| Garbage Collector | $45,740 | 37 | $44,686 | $49,690 | 250 |
| Esthetician | $41,240 | 32 | $40,290 | $45,330 | 120 |
| Cosmetologist | $32,150 | 37 | $31,409 | $35,790 | 330 |
| Bartender | $30,460 | 25 | $29,758 | $34,340 | 2,280 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.