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Registered Nurse Salary in Alaska: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Registered Nurse salary really buy you in Alaska?

Alaska is 2.0% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$110,690
Median annual (2024)
-2.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$108,519
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.0)

Alaska Cost of Living Index

Alaska's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.0, meaning prices are 2.0% higher the national average. A Registered Nurse earning $110,690 in Alaska has the equivalent purchasing power of $108,519 in an average-cost US state.

AK: 102.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Alaska's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $82,400 $80,784 $-1,615
25th Percentile (P25) $90,510 $88,735 $-1,774
Median (P50) $110,690 $108,519 $-2,170
75th Percentile (P75) $130,010 $127,460 $-2,549
90th Percentile (P90) $137,400 $134,705 $-2,694
Key Insight

Alaska's cost of living is close to the national average, so $110,690 keeps most of its value at $108,519 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Registered Nurse (After Cost of Living)

Where does Registered Nurse salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$124,737
RPP 112.5
2. Hawaii
$123,032
RPP 110.8
3. Oregon
$116,313
RPP 106.6
4. Alaska
$108,519
RPP 102.0
5. Nevada
$105,798
RPP 96.4
$103,244
RPP 97.7
$102,167
RPP 109.8
$98,141
RPP 107.6
$96,989
RPP 91.0
10. Arizona
$96,986
RPP 99.9

Alaska ranks #4 out of 50 states for Registered Nurse after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Registered Nurse in Alaska after cost of living?

A Registered Nurse in Alaska earns a median salary of $110,690 per year. After adjusting for Alaska's cost of living (RPP=102.0), the real purchasing power is $108,519 — a -2.0% difference.

Is Alaska expensive to live in?

Alaska's cost of living is 2.0% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Alaska is 102.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Registered Nurse in Alaska: $110,690 x (100 / 102.0) = $108,519. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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