Veterinarian Salary in Alaska: $133,010 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $133,010/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $125,363 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fairbanks ($136,910), Juneau ($136,460), Wasilla ($127,610).
Pursuing a veterinary career in Alaska offers a unique landscape in terms of earnings and job opportunities. As of 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in the state is $133,010, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334, marking a difference of 3.1%. Fairbanks stands out as the highest-paying city with a salary of $144,522, while Anchorage ranks lowest at $131,749, resulting in a salary gap of $12,773. This variance can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and population density in different areas. Alaska's specific job market is influenced by its licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which necessitate a state veterinary license. A growing pet population and increased awareness of animal health drive demand for veterinary services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%. In addition to Fairbanks, other cities like Juneau ($144,047), Wasilla ($134,705), and Sitka ($134,618) reflect strong earning potential for those in the field. Overall, with 130 employed veterinarians in the state, the outlook for aspiring veterinarians remains positive, particularly in regions with higher salaries and greater demand.
Alaska Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $83,548 (lowest entry-level) to $497,568 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska veterinarians earn 3.15% less than the national median ($-4,324/year difference).
Alaska Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Alaska range from $105,825 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $454,387 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $133,010. The Alaska median is $4,324 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $63.95/hr. Approximately 130 veterinarians are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,420
2025 BLS Actual
$126,004
2026 Current Est.
$133,010
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,372 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,249 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,004 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,010 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 42.5% from $88,420 (2019) to $126,004 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,985 (58.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $144,522 | 106.1 | $136,213 |
| Juneau | $144,047 | 106.1 | $135,765 |
| Wasilla | $134,705 | 106.1 | $126,960 |
| Sitka | $134,618 | 106.1 | $126,878 |
| Anchorage | $131,749 | 105.42 | $124,975 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $105,825 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $133,010 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $454,387 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Alaska?
How does Alaska veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Alaska?
How many veterinarians are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for veterinarians?
Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov