How long does licensed practical nurse training take in Alaska?

Most people become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alaska through a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure.

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alaska (2026)

Q: How much do licensed practical nurses earn in Alaska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), licensed practical nurses in Alaska earned a median annual wage of approximately $80,800. Employment concentration in Alaska is roughly 0.21 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do licensed practical nurses need a license in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska requires state-level licensing or registration for licensed practical nurses, administered by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for licensed practical nurses in Alaska?

Alaska currently employs approximately 290 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn a median annual wage of $80,800 ($38.85/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 290 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 25.5% above the national median of $64,400 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $80,800 ($38.85/hr)
25th percentile: $70,490 per year
75th percentile: $87,380 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $96,700 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $62,400 per year
Workers employed in Alaska: 290
Versus national median: 25.5% above the U.S. median of $64,400
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.21 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alaska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.

Alaska employs about 290 licensed practical nurses earning a median $80,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Licensed Practical Nurse here means completing a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure, then applying through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing.

Compare Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Alaska

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Alaska Pacific University	67.6	Contact school for pricing	$60,316	47%	Yes*	208 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Alaska employs approximately 290 licensed practical nurses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $80,800 ¹. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: state-approved practical or vocational nursing program (find programs)
Typical timeline: a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure
Licensing authority: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing
Exam: NCLEX-PN
Median wage (Alaska): $80,800 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alaska

How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alaska? Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Apply through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing.

How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska credentials this role through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing ³. See the licensing section below.

What do licensed practical nurses earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Alaska is $80,800 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $62,400 and experienced professionals can earn $96,700 or more ¹.

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alaska

Meet program entry rules. Approved practical or vocational nursing programs in Alaska typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age and prerequisite rules with the program and Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing.
Complete a state-approved PN or VN program. Finish a board-approved practical or vocational nursing program in Alaska. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing for authorization to test, then pass the NCLEX-PN. An RN exam does not substitute.
Apply for LPN or LVN licensure. Obtain the practical or vocational nursing license from Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing before practicing. Confirm reciprocity with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Licensed Practical Nurse License Requirements in Alaska

Alaska licenses practical and vocational nurses through Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing. The path is an approved PN or VN program, the NCLEX-PN, and a state LPN or LVN license. Some states use the LVN title; others use LPN. See Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing ³.

Typical path

Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program.
Pass the NCLEX-PN.
Apply to Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing for LPN or LVN licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing before you enroll.

Licensed Practical Nurse Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
La Crosse-Onalaska	260	$63,950	$65,080	$51,670	$77,170
Anchorage	160	$82,330	$81,070	$66,640	$94,310
Fairbanks-College	N/A	$76,690	$74,790	$59,480	$89,110

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for licensed practical nurses in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 290 licensed practical nurses ¹. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a licensed practical nurse in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - 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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alaska.

How much do licensed practical nurses earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Alaska is $80,800, which is $18,460 above the national median of $62,340 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alaska

Best Trade Schools in Alaska (2026)

Explore More Trades in Alaska

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 - Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing - Alaska Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofNursing.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)