The Anchorage, AK metropolitan statistical area, as BLS defines it.
Pay data · metro area
Average Salary in Anchorage, AK (2026)
The average salary in the Anchorage metro area is $75,180 a year and the median is $60,200: 18% above the US median and 1% below Alaska's (BLS, May 2025). At national-average prices the median is worth $57,100, 35th of 387 metro areas.
- Average (mean) salary
- $75,180US $69,770
- Median salary
- $60,200US $50,980
- Median hourly
- $28.94BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Price level
- 105.4US = 100 · BEA 2024
The spread
What workers in Anchorage earn
| Percentile | Anchorage area | Alaska | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,770 | $34,930 | $31,200 |
| 25th | $42,600 | $43,470 | $37,590 |
| 50th (median) | $60,200 | $61,000 | $50,980 |
| 75th | $93,620 | $92,910 | $80,520 |
| 90th | $129,160 | $128,720 | $128,560 |
| Mean | $75,180 | $74,720 | $69,770 |
Prices
Cost of living in Anchorage
BEA Regional Price Parities put the Anchorage area at 105.4 against a US average of 100. Matching a $100,000 national-average lifestyle takes about $105,420 here. Compare with another city.
US = 100
- All items105.4
- Housing (rents)109.9
- Goods107.3
- Utilities111.8
- Other services103.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 109.9 |
| Goods | 107.3 |
| Utilities | 111.8 |
| Other services | 103.3 |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Common jobs
What common jobs pay in Anchorage
Mean annual wage in the Anchorage area against the national mean for the same occupation (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
| Occupation | Anchorage area | US mean | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $116,670 | $101,420 | +15% |
| Software Developer | $105,890 | $148,100 | -29% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,620 | $72,650 | +10% |
| Accountant | $88,840 | $94,750 | -6% |
| Electrician | $86,880 | $71,490 | +22% |
| Truck Driver | $67,560 | $59,710 | +13% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,900 | $46,590 | +1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $40,250 | $37,310 | +8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,510 | $42,700 | +11% |
| General and Operations Manager | $138,340 | $134,940 | +3% |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker, General | $58,530 | $53,780 | +9% |
| Cook, Restaurant | $41,850 | $38,730 | +8% |
The jobs
Best-paying jobs in Anchorage
BLS publishes estimates for 410 occupations in this metro. Highest mean pay, and the large occupations this area pays furthest above their national average.
Highest-paying jobs
Mean annual wage
- 1Veterinarian$215,070
- 2Petroleum Engineer$203,240
- 3Dentist$200,870
- 4Lawyer$174,870
- 5Architectural and Engineering Manager$173,240
- 6Mining and Geological Engineer, Including Mining Safety Engineers$171,000
- 7Industrial Engineer$169,400
- 8Business Teacher, Postsecondary$165,560
- 9Medical and Health Services Manager$163,970
- 10Optometrist$158,180
Jobs Anchorage pays above the national average
Occupations with 100,000+ US workers
- 1Substitute Teacher, Short-Term$85,180 · +83%
- 2Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher$99,070 · +65%
- 3Industrial Engineer$169,400 · +54%
- 4Geothermal Technician$77,080 · +43%
- 5Police Officer$111,630 · +41%
- 6First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives$158,080 · +41%
- 7Public Safety Telecommunicator$78,540 · +38%
- 8Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher$73,840 · +38%
- 9Amusement and Recreation Attendant$44,100 · +35%
- 10Construction and Building Inspector$104,080 · +34%
Method
About these numbers
- All-occupations wages for the metro are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 estimates (api.bls.gov). Wage and salary workers only; excludes the self-employed.
- Pay by occupation is the OEWS May 2025 mean for that occupation in this metro, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 prevailing-wage file. Only figures BLS estimated for this metro itself are used, never state or national fallbacks.
- Price levels are BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. Price-adjusted pay is a NueCareer calculation (wage ÷ RPP/100).
Questions
Average salary in Anchorage: FAQ
What is the average salary in Anchorage?
Across all occupations in the Anchorage, AK metro area, the average (mean) annual wage is $75,180 and the median is $60,200, 18% above the US median (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That covers 177,050 wage and salary jobs.
What is a good salary in Anchorage?
Above $60,200 out-earns half of workers in the Anchorage area; the top 25% start at $93,620 and the top 10% at $129,160. Prices run 5% above the national average (BEA, 2024), so matching a $100,000 national-average lifestyle takes about $105,420 here.
Is Anchorage expensive to live in?
BEA's price level for the Anchorage metro is 105.4 (US = 100, 2024). Housing rents are 109.9, goods 107.3, utilities 111.8. At local prices the median wage is worth $57,100, 35th of 387 metros.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Anchorage?
By mean annual wage: Veterinarian ($215,070), Petroleum Engineer ($203,240), Dentist ($200,870), Lawyer ($174,870), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($173,240) (BLS OEWS May 2025, via the DOL wage file).