RNs in Alaska returning to school to earn a master’s degree so as to enter advanced practice or begin working non clinical roles in education, administration and informatics do so in part because of the increased earnings. In fact, Alaska is the top-paying state in the nation for nurse practitioners and it has the second highest concentration of jobs for nurse midwives nationwide.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that in 2013 only 10.3 percent of Alaska’s RNs are APN certified. They include 594 nurse practitioners, 92 nurse anesthetists and 67 nurse midwives. The state has one AACN-accredited school of nursing in which 54 students were enrolled in the master’s program in 2013. Graduates can look forward to a highly satisfying, productive and financially secure future.
Salaries of MSN-Educated Nurses in Alaska
A highly respected survey of nurse salaries according to education level was conducted by the Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses in 2012. The following figures represent the average annual salaries for RNs in the Western region of the US by level of education.
- Diploma – $67,994
- Associate’s Degree – $71,469
- BSN Degree – $75,973
- MSN Degree – $87,933
- APN-Certified – $90,975
Nurse Practitioner Salaries in Alaska
The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports (2013) the following salaries for APN-certified nurse practitioners in Alaska.
In comparison, an RN with a Baccalaureate degree in Alaska can expect to earn an average annual salary of $83,640 with a maximum of $110,770 according to the Bureau.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development publishes its own wage tables. Their 2013 table lists the following hourly wages for nurse practitioners statewide and in the two largest metropolitan areas.
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries in Alaska
Nurse anesthetists generally earn the highest salaries among APN-certified professions. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the following 2013 salaries for nurse anesthetists in Alaska.
The following lists the 2013 hourly wages of nurse anesthetists reported by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Nurse Midwife Salaries in Alaska
The BLS survey indicates that the 50 nurse midwives working in Alaska earned the following salaries in 2013.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development lists the following statewide hourly wages for nurse midwives in 2013.
- Entry-Level – $44.27
- Median – $47.69
- Experienced – $63.11