Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
55 Highest Paying Jobs in Anchorage, AK (2026)
The highest-paying job in Anchorage, AK, Alaska is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $299,340 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 55 tracked occupations the average median is $118,284, with 37 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 127 (national average = 100), so a $118,284 nominal salary equals $93,137 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 55 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Anchorage, AK, AK, from BLS OEWS data. Anchorage, AK's cost-of-living index runs 127.0 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Anchorage, AK, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Anchorage, AK
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Anchorage, AK's cost-of-living index of 127 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $299,340 · 10th–90th $170,390–$394,740 · 250 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Anchorage, AK earn $299,340 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $394,740. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $235,701 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $251,830 · 10th–90th $224,040–$362,690 · 50 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Anchorage, AK earn $251,830 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $362,690. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $198,291 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $228,030 · 10th–90th $124,190–$320,440 · 180 jobs in metro
Dentists in Anchorage, AK earn $228,030 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $320,440. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $179,551 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $171,910 · 10th–90th $107,490–$218,900 · 110 jobs in metro
Industrial Engineers in Anchorage, AK earn $171,910 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $218,900. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $135,362 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $168,440 · 10th–90th $75,290–$331,040 · 50 jobs in metro
Business Professor (Postsecondary)s in Anchorage, AK earn $168,440 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $331,040. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $132,630 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $167,000 · 10th–90th $78,190–$204,680 · 30 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Anchorage, AK earn $167,000 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $204,680. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $131,496 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $162,980 · 10th–90th $106,190–$184,830 · 360 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Anchorage, AK earn $162,980 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $184,830. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $128,331 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $157,430 · 10th–90th $97,690–$207,490 · 410 jobs in metro
Nurse Practitioners in Anchorage, AK earn $157,430 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $207,490. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $123,961 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $153,590 · 10th–90th $89,910–$336,190 · 780 jobs in metro
Lawyers in Anchorage, AK earn $153,590 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $336,190. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $120,937 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $152,710 · 10th–90th $106,060–$199,810 · 460 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Anchorage, AK earn $152,710 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $199,810. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $120,244 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (55 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $299,340 | $170,390–$394,740 | $235,701 | 250 |
| 2 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $251,830 | $224,040–$362,690 | $198,291 | 50 |
| 3 | Dentist | Healthcare | $228,030 | $124,190–$320,440 | $179,551 | 180 |
| 4 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $171,910 | $107,490–$218,900 | $135,362 | 110 |
| 5 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $168,440 | $75,290–$331,040 | $132,630 | 50 |
| 6 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $167,000 | $78,190–$204,680 | $131,496 | 30 |
| 7 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $162,980 | $106,190–$184,830 | $128,331 | 360 |
| 8 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $157,430 | $97,690–$207,490 | $123,961 | 410 |
| 9 | Lawyer | Legal | $153,590 | $89,910–$336,190 | $120,937 | 780 |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $152,710 | $106,060–$199,810 | $120,244 | 460 |
| 11 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $145,500 | $105,600–$186,620 | $114,567 | 90 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $137,990 | $92,960–$201,870 | $108,654 | 550 |
| 13 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $135,480 | $92,020–$211,830 | $106,677 | 320 |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $133,620 | $81,630–$308,170 | $105,213 | 900 |
| 15 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $132,740 | $60,590–$139,940 | $104,520 | 490 |
| 16 | Financial Manager | Finance | $129,220 | $85,780–$209,590 | $101,748 | 1,200 |
| 17 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $126,730 | $82,720–$179,880 | $99,787 | 220 |
| 18 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $124,810 | $104,030–$471,360 | $98,276 | 110 |
| 19 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $121,710 | $75,770–$147,210 | $95,835 | 220 |
| 20 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $121,610 | $76,660–$166,530 | $95,756 | 270 |
| 21 | Database Architect | Technology | $121,260 | $71,560–$129,150 | $95,480 | 50 |
| 22 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $120,030 | $65,050–$223,230 | $94,512 | 3,290 |
| 23 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $119,720 | $94,900–$162,040 | $94,268 | 90 |
| 24 | Marketing Manager | Management | $118,770 | $79,640–$196,800 | $93,520 | 170 |
| 25 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $115,290 | $85,840–$155,150 | $90,780 | 4,990 |
| 26 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $113,190 | $69,700–$149,340 | $89,126 | 410 |
| 27 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $113,010 | $73,870–$292,960 | $88,984 | 120 |
| 28 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $112,740 | $78,940–$159,320 | $88,772 | 1,110 |
| 29 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $112,590 | $97,330–$133,300 | $88,654 | 460 |
| 30 | Architect | Engineering | $108,720 | $60,980–$146,950 | $85,606 | 140 |
| 31 | Software Developer | Technology | $104,030 | $62,060–$136,460 | $81,913 | 320 |
| 32 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $103,680 | $82,320–$134,180 | $81,638 | 300 |
| 33 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $103,010 | $81,500–$125,950 | $81,110 | 220 |
| 34 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $102,330 | $48,410–$103,340 | $80,575 | 180 |
| 35 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $101,740 | $73,460–$138,620 | $80,110 | 30 |
| 36 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $101,260 | $77,510–$131,960 | $79,732 | 260 |
| 37 | Sales Manager | Management | $100,940 | $70,190–$174,570 | $79,480 | 530 |
| 38 | Data Scientist | Technology | $98,630 | $57,180–$177,690 | $77,661 | 120 |
| 39 | Network Architect | Technology | $96,420 | $69,140–$121,960 | $75,921 | 560 |
| 40 | Management Analyst | Management | $96,120 | $48,920–$143,150 | $75,685 | 310 |
| 41 | Plumber | Trades | $93,600 | $53,730–$116,790 | $73,701 | 640 |
| 42 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $91,130 | $66,780–$137,210 | $71,756 | 320 |
| 43 | Electrician | Trades | $82,440 | $58,550–$123,200 | $64,913 | 930 |
| 44 | Accountant | Finance | $82,150 | $59,550–$123,450 | $64,685 | 1,160 |
| 45 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $79,650 | $64,570–$98,140 | $62,717 | 1,130 |
| 46 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $79,270 | $62,750–$97,090 | $62,417 | 1,720 |
| 47 | Welder | Trades | $74,000 | $46,680–$96,200 | $58,268 | 250 |
| 48 | Loan Officer | Finance | $72,800 | $26,720–$124,810 | $57,323 | 370 |
| 49 | Carpenter | Trades | $72,800 | $48,620–$149,320 | $57,323 | 1,460 |
| 50 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $71,510 | $53,240–$120,240 | $56,307 | 360 |
| 51 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $68,720 | $44,390–$102,170 | $54,110 | 380 |
| 52 | Paralegal | Legal | $66,210 | $50,590–$97,390 | $52,134 | 390 |
| 53 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $63,250 | $40,320–$105,160 | $49,803 | 130 |
| 54 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $62,050 | $46,650–$109,660 | $48,858 | 400 |
| 55 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $59,880 | $39,580–$89,790 | $47,150 | 850 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Anchorage, AK
Anchorage, AK's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Anchorage, AK's cost-of-living index of 127 runs 27% above the U.S. national average. Housing is the dominant driver; transportation and services are also above-average. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each salary to a national-average baseline, which is the apples-to-apples comparison when you are weighing offers across metros.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Family Medicine Physician with five-plus years of experience in Anchorage, AK should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($347,040) or 90th percentile ($394,740), not the $299,340 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $299K Family Medicine Physician salary in Anchorage, AK (COL 127) translates to $236K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Family Medicine Physician in Anchorage, AK page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Anchorage, AK is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $299,340 and a 90th-percentile reading of $394,740. The role employs roughly 250 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
37 of the 55 BLS-tracked occupations in Anchorage, AK have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 55 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Anchorage, AK is $118,284. The cost-of-living index is 127, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $93,137 in equivalent purchasing power.
Anchorage, AK offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $118,284 — but the cost of living index of 127 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $93,137, which is the right comparison when weighing offers in lower-cost metros.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.