Truck Driver Salary in Alaska
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Alaska. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$69,520
CDL-B Avg
$54,200
Non-CDL Avg
$62,940
Owner-Op Gross
$245,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Alaska truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Alaska
Alaska's cost of living is 27% above the national average. Factor this into salary comparisons with lower-cost states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$69,520
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$54,740
After adjusting for Alaska's cost of living index of 127, a CDL-A salary of $69,520 provides the same purchasing power as $54,740 in an average-cost area. This means the higher nominal salary is partially offset by higher expenses.
Which Alaska metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Alaska average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in Alaska
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Alaska, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
Salary Trend in Alaska
Alaska offers some of the highest trucking wages in the nation due to extreme conditions, remote locations, and a small resident driver population. Ice road and North Slope hauls command significant premiums.
Alaska vs National Average
| Category | AK | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $69,520 | $59,710 | +$9,810 |
| Cost of Living | 127 | 100 | +27 |
| Adjusted Pay | $54,740 | $59,710 | $-4,970 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Alaska
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Alaska, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$64,000 - $90,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$69,500 - $98,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$71,500 - $101,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$73,000 - $103,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$73,500 - $104,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$75,500 - $106,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$77,000 - $108,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$80,500 - $114,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$65,000 - $92,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$53,500 - $76,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$66,500 - $94,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$68,000 - $96,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$64,000 - $90,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$52,500 - $74,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Alaska
Why do Alaska truck drivers earn so much?
Alaska drivers earn an average of $69,520 due to hazardous winter conditions, remote delivery routes, and a severe shortage of qualified CDL holders willing to work in extreme cold.
What types of trucking jobs pay the most in Alaska?
Ice road trucking and North Slope oil field hauls pay the most. Seasonal work during the winter ice road season commands the biggest premiums of all.
Is the high Alaska trucker pay worth the cost of living?
When adjusted for Alaska's 127% cost of living index, the $69,520 average translates to about $54,740 in purchasing power. However, many drivers work seasonal rotations and live in lower-cost states.
What does Alaska pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Alaska
- Entry Level driver pay in Alaska
- Mid Level driver pay in Alaska
- Experienced driver pay in Alaska
- Veteran driver pay in Alaska