How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Alaska
Alaska employs approximately 2,060 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,370 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Alaska
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Alaska? Alaska requires credentials such as Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Aide. The licensing authority is the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Alaska Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Alaska Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Alaska is $46,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,450 and experienced professionals can earn $58,430 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Alaska Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Alaska): $46,370 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Alaska
The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Alaska Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Alaska 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Application $100 License $200 Fingerprint $75 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | |
| Nurse Aide | Application $100 Certification $100 Fingerprint $75 Examination $55 |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurses | Application $100 APRN Authorization $100 Prescriptive Authority $100 Controlled Substances Prescriptive Authority $200 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Application $100 License $200 Fingerprint $75 |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Application $125 License $250 |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Alaska
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Alaska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Alaska vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 1,310 | $45,370 | $47,500 | $39,450 | $57,340 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 1,250 | $43,510 | $42,720 | $37,530 | $47,220 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Alaska
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Alaska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 1,310 | $45,370 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 2,060 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Alaska Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alaska.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Alaska is $46,370, which is $6,840 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Alaska Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofNursing.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |