Alaska — The Last Frontier
Alaska pays CNAs among the highest wages in the nation — and offers earn-and-learn programs where your employer pays for training while you collect a paycheck from day one.
Program costs & details
Alaska requires 140 total training hours including 80 clinical hours. Programs are offered through the University of Alaska system statewide — from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, and the Kenai Peninsula. The earn-and-learn path is Alaska's best-kept secret.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earn-and-Learn (Employer-Sponsored) | Statewide — hospitals & nursing homes | FREE + paid salary | Varies | On-the-job training while working |
| Alaska CNA Program (private) | Anchorage | Funded cohorts available | 6 weeks | In-person, Mon–Fri with skills labs |
| University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) | Anchorage | ~$1,200–$1,500 | One semester (~16 weeks) | In-person, 6-credit course |
| Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) | Soldotna / Homer | ~$1,000–$1,300 | 8–12 weeks | In-person, 6 credits |
| University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) | Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka | ~$1,000–$1,400 | 8–12 weeks | In-person, campus-based |
| Kodiak College | Kodiak Island | ~$1,000–$1,300 | 8–12 weeks | In-person |
Many Alaska hospitals and nursing homes will hire you as a nurse aide first, then pay for your entire CNA training while you collect a salary. You walk in as an employee on day one. Your employer covers tuition, exam fees, and pays your hourly wage during training. Under federal law, Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities must cover CNA training costs for employees who certify within 12 months of hire. In Alaska — where healthcare worker shortages are acute — facilities are especially motivated to do this. Call the nursing department at Providence Alaska, Alaska Native Medical Center, or Fairbanks Memorial and ask directly: "Do you offer a paid CNA training program?"
2026 salary data
Alaska consistently ranks among the top states for CNA pay. High cost of living is real — but Alaska also has no state income tax, and wages reflect the frontier premium. Native-speaking CNAs in rural Alaska are especially valued and often command premium pay.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $20–$26/hr | ~$42,000–$54,000 | Largest city, Alaska Native Medical Center & Providence AK |
| Fairbanks | $20–$25/hr | ~$41,000–$52,000 | Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Denali Center — strong demand |
| Juneau | $22–$28/hr | ~$46,000–$58,000 | State capital, Bartlett Regional Hospital |
| Sitka | $25–$28/hr | ~$52,000–$58,000 | SEARHC — Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium |
| Ketchikan | $23–$35/hr | ~$48,000–$73,000 | PeaceHealth Ketchikan — top of state pay range |
| Wasilla / Mat-Su Valley | $20–$25/hr | ~$42,000–$52,000 | Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, lower COL than Anchorage |
| Rural / Remote Alaska | $24–$32/hr | ~$50,000–$66,000 | Tribal health orgs, critical access hospitals — premium pay + housing often included |
Sources: Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, PeaceHealth job postings — 2026 data. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Alaska's healthcare shortage creates a fast track for CNAs who want to advance. The University of Alaska Anchorage offers LPN programs and many employers actively support the transition with tuition assistance.
140 hours total, 80 clinical. NNAAP exam via Credentia. 4–12 weeks.
University of Alaska Anchorage LPN program. ~12 months. Alaska LPN median salary: $63,850/year — well above national average.
UAA School of Nursing offers ADN and BSN programs. Alaska RN salaries consistently rank in the top 10 nationally.
For moms in Alaska
Alaska is calling