CNA Certification Cost in Alaska 2026: $49K Salary, 1.5-Month Payback
CNA in Alaska: certified professionals earn $48,897/year at state-adjusted rates. Total cost $1,140. Payback: 1.5 months.
CNA in Alaska — Key Numbers
$49K
Avg Salary w/ Cert
+$9K
Annual Salary Boost
$1,140
Total Cost
1.5 mo
Payback Period
Salary data: BLS OEWS state estimates 2024. State multiplier: 135% of national average.
CNA Cost Breakdown
Exam fee
$140
Study materials
$1,000
Total upfront cost
$1,140
Salary without cert (Alaska)
$39,825/yr
Salary with CNA (Alaska)
$48,897/yr
5-year net ROI
$44K
CNA Job Market in Alaska
Alaska CNA wages at $49K ($23.51/hr) are below the national median, reflecting the state's overall healthcare wage index. The payback math still works: $1,100–$1,500 total training cost against a $6,700/year raise over personal care aide wages pays back in 2 months. Employer-sponsored training is particularly common in rural Alaska facilities that struggle to find credentialed staff. Travel CNA contracts ($25–$35/hr) are an option for Alaska-certified CNAs willing to take short-term assignments in higher-wage states — common career move for CNAs building experience before nursing school. The NNAAP exam fee in Alaska is $90–$150.