Ranked #1 nationally | BLS OES May 2024
Surgical Technologist Salary in Alaska (2026) - $82,640/yr
Alaska leads all US states with a mean of $82,640/yr. The non-metropolitan Alaska area pays $86,170/yr. The premium reflects geographic recruitment difficulty, not superior purchasing power. Cost-of-living in Alaska is approximately 28% above the national average.
$82,640
+31% above national
State mean annual
$39.73
vs national $30.32
Mean hourly
480
surgical techs employed
Employment
$64,563
real purchasing power
COL-adjusted
Alaska Areas
- Non-metro Alaska$86,170/yr
- Anchorage metro area$80,410/yr (est.)
- Fairbanks area$77,800/yr (est.)
Top Alaska Employers
- +Alaska Native Medical Center (Anchorage; ANMC)
- +Providence Alaska Medical Center (Anchorage)
- +Bartlett Regional Hospital (Juneau)
- +Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
- +Critical Access Hospitals (rural, sign-on bonuses common)
Alaska does not have a surgical technologist licensure law. CST credential is nationally portable. Note that Alaska living costs (housing, groceries, utilities, travel to lower-48) are substantially higher than the continental US. Many Alaska positions offer travel allowances and signing bonuses of $8-20k for candidates relocating from the lower 48.
FAQ
How much do surgical techs make in Alaska?
Alaska has the highest mean annual wage for surgical technologists in the US at $82,640 per year ($39.73/hr), according to BLS OES May 2024. This is 31% above the national mean of $63,060. The non-metropolitan Alaska area pays even more at $86,170/yr, reflecting the extreme difficulty of recruiting clinical staff to remote communities.
Why does Alaska pay surgical techs so much?
Alaska pays a geographic premium for clinical staff due to geographic isolation, a harsh climate that deters relocations, and the high cost of living (COL index approximately 128). Despite the high nominal pay, Alaska's COL-adjusted salary ($64,563) is not as strong as states like Nevada or Minnesota. The premium reflects recruitment difficulty, not necessarily superior purchasing power.
Does Alaska require surgical tech licensure?
Alaska does not have a surgical technologist state licensure or registration requirement as of 2026. The CST credential (NBSTSA) is nationally portable and required or preferred by most Alaska employer facilities without additional state registration.