Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Alaska: $48,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $48,282/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,506 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Anchorage ($45,370), Fairbanks ($44,472), Juneau ($44,326).
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Alaska can expect an average median salary of $48,282, which is 7.3% higher than the national median of $45,007. Anchorage leads the state with the highest salary at $48,319, while Sitka reports the lowest at $44,117, highlighting a salary gap of $4,202 between these cities. This difference is influenced by the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local funding for health facilities. Alaska's specific factors include state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which impact training and job responsibilities for CNAs. Additionally, the demand for healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, continues to drive job growth, projected at a 6.50% annual compound growth rate. The total employment for CNAs in the state stands at 1,330. Following Anchorage, the other top paying cities include Fairbanks at $47,363 and Juneau at $47,207. Overall, the job market for CNAs in Alaska shows positive growth potential, reflecting ongoing needs in health care and emphasizing the importance of location when considering salary and career opportunities.
Alaska Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $37,189 (lowest entry-level) to $61,067 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska certified nursing assistants earn 7.28% more than the national median (+$3,275/year difference).
Alaska Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Alaska range from $41,958 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,952 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,282. The Alaska median is $3,275 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $23.21/hr. Approximately 1,330 certified nursing assistants are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,885
2025 BLS Actual
$45,335
2026 Current Est.
$48,282
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 19.7% from $37,885 (2019) to $45,335 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,535 (35.73%) 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 6.50% 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 Certified Nursing Assistants in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $48,319 | 105.42 | $45,835 |
| Fairbanks | $47,363 | 106.1 | $44,640 |
| Juneau | $47,207 | 106.1 | $44,493 |
| Wasilla | $44,145 | 106.1 | $41,607 |
| Sitka | $44,117 | 106.1 | $41,581 |
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) | $41,958 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,282 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,952 |
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 certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Alaska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Alaska?
How does Alaska certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Alaska?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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 6.50% 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 certified nursing assistant compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute 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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov