How long does cdl truck driver training take in Alaska?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Alaska through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Alaska (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Alaska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Alaska earned a median annual wage of approximately $70,100. Employment concentration in Alaska is roughly 0.79 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Alaska?

Alaska currently employs approximately 3,420 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $70,100 ($33.70/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,420 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 19.5% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $70,100 ($33.70/hr)
25th percentile: $60,500 per year
75th percentile: $78,060 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $90,610 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,080 per year
Workers employed in Alaska: 3,420
Versus national median: 19.5% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.79 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alaska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alaska employs about 3,420 CDL truck drivers earning a median $70,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Alaska employs approximately 3,420 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $70,100 ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Alaska): $70,100 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Alaska

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Alaska? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska credentials this role through Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Alaska is $70,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,080 and experienced professionals can earn $90,610 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Alaska

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

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

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Alaska

CDL truck drivers in Alaska complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers 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	2,100	$60,300	$63,330	$47,000	$81,470
Anchorage	1,620	$66,190	$67,560	$48,650	$88,880
Fairbanks-College	590	$76,560	$72,350	$57,050	$78,810

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 CDL truck drivers in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 3,420 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles 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 CDL truck drivers earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Alaska is $70,100, which is $12,660 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alaska

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Division of the Alaska Department of Administration - Division of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://www.dps.state.ak.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)