Anchorage Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Anchorage, AK: $35.00/hr median hourly wage, $72,800 median annual salary, cost of living index 127, and $11.73/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Alaska taxes.
Anchorage Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Anchorage, AK is $35.00/hr,equivalent to $72,800 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $21.70/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $49.70/hr, and the local minimum wage is $11.73/hr.
Median figures are Salario estimates: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area wage series that covers Anchorage, AK.
Median Salary
$72,800
$35.00/hr
Cost of Living
127
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$11.73
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Anchorage, AK Overview
Population
291,247
Median Salary
$72,800
Average Salary
$79,500
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Job Growth
+0.5%
Sales Tax
0%
Anchorage is located in Alaska with a population of 291,247. The median annual wage across all occupations is $72,800 ($35.00/hour, Salario estimate), which is $21,820 above the national median of $50,980. The national median is the BLS OEWS May 2025 all-occupations median annual wage. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.5%.
Anchorage Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Anchorage, AK built around the $72,800 median salary (Salario estimate). Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile. The non-median rows are Salario estimates.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $45,136 | $21.70/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $72,800 | $35.00/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $103,376 | $49.70/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $129,584 | $62.30/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) are Salario approximations of the typical all-occupations wage spread in BLS OEWS metro tables; only the median row is a published BLS value where BLS covers the metro, which is not the case here. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Anchorage Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Anchorage, AK, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$60,045
$5,003.73/month · $2,309.42/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,309.42 take-home per paycheck after estimated Alaska and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$72,800
Federal Tax
-$7,186
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,569
Net Pay
$60,045
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,066.67 | $72,800.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$598.83 | -$7,186.00 |
| Alaska State Tax (0.00% eff.) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$376.13 | -$4,513.60 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$87.97 | -$1,055.60 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $5,003.73 | $60,044.80 |
Salary Comparison: Anchorage vs Other Cities
See how Anchorage's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $72,800 | 127 | $57,323 |
| National Average | $50,980 | 100 | $50,980 |
| East Hartford, CT | $72,891 | 110.7 | $65,846 |
| Seattle, WA | $72,610 | 152 | $47,770 |
| Tacoma, WA | $72,610 | 108 | $67,231 |
| Bellevue, WA | $72,610 | 160 | $45,381 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Anchorage
Anchorage's cost of living index is 127 (national average = 100). Living in Anchorage is 27% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Annual Rent Cost
$16,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $60,045 annual take-home pay in Anchorage has the purchasing power of approximately $47,279 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $92,456 in Anchorage to match a $72,800 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Anchorage
Anchorage's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $72,800.
Salary Tips for Anchorage Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Anchorage has a cost of living 27% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- No state income tax advantage. Alaska has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Anchorage's top industries include Oil & Gas, Military, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $72,800 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Anchorage salary data: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area series covering Anchorage, so the median and average salary here are Salario estimates built from state and regional wage references, not BLS survey values. The entry/senior/top-10% rows and paycheck estimate are Salario calculations built on that estimate. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Anchorage indexed at 127.
- Median salary: $72,800 annual, $35.00 hourly, Salario estimate.
- Tax burden reflects Alaska 2026 state income tax brackets and standard deduction (top rate 0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (0%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Anchorage: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Oil & Gas, Military, Healthcare, based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Alaska.
- Housing context: median home price $340,000, median rent $1,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Anchorage, AK:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Anchorage unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau, Anchorage QuickFacts, population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance, Alaska, state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Anchorage's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines, always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Alaska labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026) where available · Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Anchorage, AK?
The median hourly wage in Anchorage, AK is estimated at $35.00 per hour (Salario model; BLS does not publish a metropolitan-area series for this city). At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $72,800 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $21.70/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $49.70/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Anchorage, AK?
The median salary in Anchorage, AK is $72,800 per year, or $35.00 per hour (Salario estimate). The average salary is $79,500. This is $21,820 above the BLS national median of $50,980.
What is the cost of living in Anchorage, AK?
Anchorage's cost of living index is 127 (national average = 100), meaning it is 27% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $340,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,400.
What are the best industries in Anchorage?
The top industries in Anchorage, AK include Oil & Gas, Military, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $72,800.
How does Anchorage's salary compare to other cities?
Anchorage's median salary of $72,800 is 42.8% above the national median of $50,980. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 127), the real purchasing power is approximately $57,323.
What is the minimum wage in Anchorage, AK?
The minimum wage in Anchorage, AK is $11.73 per hour. This equals approximately $24,398 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $4.48 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.