Police Officer Salary in Alaska: $116,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $116,116/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,440 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Anchorage ($115,020), Fairbanks ($105,370), Juneau ($79,936).
For those considering a career as a police officer in Alaska, the projected salary landscape in 2026 presents compelling figures. The average median salary for police officers in Alaska is expected to be $116,116, significantly higher than the national median of $78,542, marking a difference of 47.8%. The highest paying city is Anchorage, where officers can expect to earn around $118,540, while Sitka presents the lowest salaries at $76,989, creating a substantial gap of $41,551. This disparity can largely be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local budgets for law enforcement, and the demand for services in urban versus rural areas. Alaska requires police officers to meet state licensing requirements, including completion of a training academy and certification, which can influence overall salary potential. The job market shows a growth rate of 3.06% annually, reflecting consistent demand for law enforcement across the state. The top five projected salaries indicate differences in local economies and funding, with Fairbanks offering $108,594, Juneau at $82,382, and Wasilla at $77,039. This environment suggests that opportunities in law enforcement are viable, particularly in populous areas like Anchorage, making it an essential consideration for aspiring law enforcement professionals in the state.
Alaska Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $49,636 (lowest entry-level) to $151,251 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska police officers earn 47.84% more than the national median (+$37,574/year difference).
Alaska Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Alaska range from $81,734 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $138,250 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $116,116. The Alaska median is $37,574 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $55.83/hr. Approximately 695 police officers are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,541
2025 BLS Actual
$112,668
2026 Current Est.
$116,116
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,541 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,989 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,154 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,612 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,111 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,668 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 23.1% from $91,541 (2019) to $112,668 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,128 (30.73%) 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 3.06% 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 Police Officers in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $118,540 | 105.42 | $112,445 |
| Fairbanks | $108,594 | 103.208 | $105,219 |
| Juneau | $82,382 | 106.1 | $77,646 |
| Wasilla | $77,039 | 106.1 | $72,610 |
| Sitka | $76,989 | 106.1 | $72,563 |
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) | $81,734 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $116,116 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $138,250 |
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
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Alaska?
How does Alaska police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Alaska?
How many police officers are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for police officers?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
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 3.06% 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 police officer compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov