Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Alaska: $85,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $85,444/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,532 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Anchorage ($82,330), Fairbanks ($76,690), Juneau ($67,548).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Alaska can expect an average median salary of $85,444, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, representing a 25.5% increase over national averages. Anchorage offers the highest salaries for LPNs at $87,023, while Sitka registers the lowest at $66,724, creating a salary gap of $20,299. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for healthcare services, local cost of living, and facility types in each area. Alaska requires LPNs to hold a state-specific license and adhere to unique scope of practice laws that can influence job responsibilities. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% in demand for LPNs, driven by an aging population and the continuous need for healthcare services, job opportunities are expected to expand significantly across the state. The top five cities for LPN salaries in 2026 include Fairbanks at $81,061, Juneau at $71,398, and Wasilla at $66,768. For those considering a career as an LPN in Alaska, understanding these dynamics is essential for career planning and salary negotiations.
Alaska Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $53,982 (lowest entry-level) to $99,686 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska licensed practical nurses earn 25.52% more than the national median (+$17,373/year difference).
Alaska Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Alaska range from $69,131 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $98,288 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,444. The Alaska median is $17,373 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $41.08/hr. Approximately 175 licensed practical nurses are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,588
2025 BLS Actual
$80,836
2026 Current Est.
$85,444
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,588 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,455 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,106 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,489 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,656 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 29.2% from $62,588 (2019) to $80,836 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,726 (44.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $87,023 | 105.42 | $82,549 |
| Fairbanks | $81,061 | 103.208 | $78,541 |
| Juneau | $71,398 | 106.1 | $67,293 |
| Wasilla | $66,768 | 106.1 | $62,929 |
| Sitka | $66,724 | 106.1 | $62,888 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,131 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,444 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $98,288 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Alaska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Alaska?
How does Alaska licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Alaska?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov