Truck Driver Salary in Alaska (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
Alaska posts the highest state median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers in the U.S. per BLS OEWS May 2024.2 The state has no interstate land freight to the Lower 48 (all freight arrives by ocean, air, or through Canada). The unique operational environment — Dalton Highway to the North Slope oilfields, extreme weather, remote delivery to isolated communities — drives significant skill-and-risk premium on driver pay.
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — Alaska state median: $65,430. Employment: ~2,710.2
- Alaska median sits ~$7,990 above the national median — the highest state median in the U.S.
- Top paying metros: Anchorage MSA, Fairbanks (for Dalton Highway North Slope work).
- Distinguishing features: No land interstate freight (all freight via ocean, air, or Canada), Dalton Highway / ice road to North Slope oilfields, extreme weather + remote logistics skill premium, no state income tax on wages, high cost of living (especially rural Alaska).
Alaska Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm.2
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median wage | $65,430 |
| State employment | ~2,710 |
| State vs national median | +$7,990 (+13.9%) |
How Alaska Compares to the National Median
Alaska's $65,430 median is the highest state median for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers in the U.S.2 However, cost of living is also among the highest per BEA RPP, driven by remote-delivery markup on consumer goods.3 No state income tax is a take-home advantage. Housing cost in Anchorage is meaningful but below coastal California / New York; remote Alaska housing varies wildly.
Top Alaska Metros for Truck Drivers
Anchorage MSA
- Port of Anchorage — primary entry point for containerized freight from the Lower 48 (Matson, Totem Ocean Trailer Express / TOTE).
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport cargo — major air cargo transit point (UPS, FedEx, Alaska Air Cargo).
- Military freight — Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_11260.htm.4
Fairbanks
- Dalton Highway staging — North Slope oilfield freight.
- Military + interior Alaska freight.
Major Freight Industries Driving Alaska Pay
| Industry | Endorsement fit | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton Highway / North Slope oilfield | N for frac water; H for chemicals; X for fuel | $75–$110k+ |
| Anchorage port drayage | TWIC | $60–$90k |
| Air cargo ground distribution (UPS, FedEx) | T | $70–$95k experienced |
| Fuel tanker (regional) | X | $75–$105k+ |
| Remote delivery (barge + truck to villages) | None | $65–$90k |
Major Carriers Hiring in Alaska
- Alaska-based: Lynden Transport, Carlile Transportation Systems (part of Saltchuk/Carlile), Span Alaska Transportation, Alaska Marine Lines, Northern Air Cargo affiliates.
- North Slope oilfield specialty: various oilfield services contractors, Carlile, Lynden.
- National: UPS Alaska, FedEx Alaska, DHL Alaska air cargo.
- Dedicated: Alaska Airlines cargo, military contractors, remote-delivery specialists.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Alaska in 2026? Alaska state median is $65,430 per BLS OEWS May 2024, with only ~2,710 drivers employed.2 Highest state median in the U.S. Dalton Highway / North Slope specialty drivers push $90,000–$115,000+.
Is the Dalton Highway the famous "ice road"? Partially. The Dalton Highway (also called the Haul Road) is a year-round gravel road connecting Livengood (north of Fairbanks) to Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope. It's not an ice road in the winter-only sense — it's open year-round — but winter driving conditions are extreme. Ice-road seasonal routes also exist to remote villages and exploration sites.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Alaska? Dalton Highway / North Slope oilfield specialty work during active drilling. $95,000–$120,000+ achievable for experienced specialty drivers with cold-weather and remote-operation capability.
Is Alaska a good state for truck drivers? For drivers willing to accept extreme weather, remote operations, and long periods of darkness in winter — the pay premium is real. For drivers coming from the Lower 48: housing costs outside Anchorage are high, grocery/consumer costs are significantly higher than national average. Real purchasing power is not as strong as the high nominal suggests.
What are the largest carriers hiring in Alaska in 2026? Lynden Transport, Carlile Transportation (Saltchuk), Span Alaska, UPS Alaska, FedEx Alaska, oilfield services contractors on the North Slope.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS 53-3032 National. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩
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BLS OEWS Alaska State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm ↩↩↩↩↩
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BEA Regional Price Parities. https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area ↩
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BLS OEWS Anchorage MSA: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_11260.htm · All AK: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩
