Police Officer Salary in Anchorage, AK: $118,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Anchorage, AK earns a median $118,540/year (≈ $56.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Anchorage's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $112,445 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 42.2% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Anchorage, Alaska, police officers earn a median salary of $118,540 as of 2026, significantly exceeding the national median of $78,542. The range for officer salaries in this region stretches from $82,695 at the 10th percentile to $136,421 at the 90th percentile, based on projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. This competitive compensation reflects the city’s preference for structured law enforcement options, with federal positions generally offering higher remuneration than municipal and state roles. Local officers, however, enjoy an advantageous pay scale that aligns with Alaska's unique environment and demands on law enforcement, making for a more rewarding career path in police work within the Anchorage area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,695 | $39.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,607 | $48.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,540 | $56.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,350 | $62.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,421 | $65.59 |
Median Salary Position
50.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anchorage
In Anchorage, AK, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,726 (2026 est.). At $118,540, the local median is 50.93% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Anchorage: You'd be above the median
How Anchorage Police Officer Pay Compares
Anchorage median: $118,540/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anchorage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $83,361 | +42.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +50.93% more |
Police Officers in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $118,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.93% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 42.20% above the Alaska state average of $83,361.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anchorage has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,540 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,445 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,440
2025 BLS Actual
$115,020
2026 Current Est.
$118,540
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anchorage metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 24.4% from $92,440 (2019) to $115,020 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,727 (32.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,695 – $101,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,607 – $118,540 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,540 – $130,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,350 – $136,421 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Anchorage
The job market in Anchorage for police officers is robust, with approximately 570 officers currently employed. A cost-of-living index of 105.42 indicates that expenses in the area are slightly above the national average, affecting overall purchasing power. Among various law enforcement opportunities, federal agencies like the FBI and DEA typically offer the highest salaries, followed by municipal departments. Factors contributing to pay variations include agency type, union contract structures that permit overtime, and stipends for specialized assignments such as SWAT or K-9, which can elevate earning potential. Officers seeking to maximize their salaries may benefit from pursuing education incentives, such as obtaining a master’s degree, which often results in additional pay increases. Understanding the local dynamics of police officer pay in Anchorage AK is essential for both current officers and those considering a career in law enforcement.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $115,020 for police officersin the Anchorage metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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