What this means Our calculation
32 of 33 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is building inspectors at $106,780. Prices run 5% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is about the same as most metros (4.2%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+1.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Anchorage Government data
All 33 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Inspector | $106,780 | +58% | $101,290 | 160 | #5 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $101,020 | +62% | $95,826 | 350 | #1 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $98,690 | +49% | $93,616 | 260 | #23 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $98,070 | +60% | $93,028 | 160 | #6 |
| Construction Supervisor | $96,000 | +24% | $91,064 | 1,230 | #40 |
| Plumber | $93,600 | +52% | $88,788 | 640 | #14 |
| Flooring Installer | $92,860 | +66% | $88,086 | 60 | #3 |
| Concrete Finisher | $92,250 | +61% | $87,507 | 160 | #4 |
| HVAC Technician | $85,620 | +44% | $81,218 | 330 | #2 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $84,190 | +69% | $79,862 | 60 | #6 |
| Electrician | $82,440 | +32% | $78,201 | 930 | #34 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $81,530 | -16% | $77,338 | 300 | #178 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $78,720 | +23% | $74,673 | 150 | #20 |
| Ironworker | $76,970 | +20% | $73,013 | 90 | #43 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $76,520 | +28% | $72,586 | 980 | #70 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $75,650 | +50% | $71,761 | 60 | #5 |
| Machinist | $75,040 | +32% | $71,182 | 50 | #6 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $74,480 | +23% | $70,651 | 410 | #23 |
| Welder | $74,000 | +42% | $70,195 | 250 | #6 |
| Carpenter | $72,800 | +30% | $69,057 | 1,460 | #38 |
| Roofer | $65,750 | +31% | $62,370 | 230 | #18 |
| Drywall Installer | $65,200 | +21% | $61,848 | 60 | #22 |
| Fence Installer | $64,600 | +33% | $61,279 | 40 | #1 |
| Painter | $60,360 | +27% | $57,257 | 330 | #29 |
| Auto Mechanic | $59,880 | +22% | $56,801 | 850 | #39 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $59,420 | +15% | $56,365 | 150 | #50 |
| Glazier | $59,270 | +7% | $56,223 | 150 | #63 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $57,540 | +19% | $54,582 | 50 | #24 |
| Maintenance Technician | $57,390 | +19% | $54,439 | 1,680 | #39 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $56,880 | +12% | $53,956 | 120 | #48 |
| Construction Laborer | $56,160 | +20% | $53,273 | 1,860 | #69 |
| Insulation Installer | $55,800 | +16% | $52,931 | 110 | #30 |
| Landscaper | $47,450 | +26% | $45,010 | 750 | #13 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Anchorage
The Anchorage area has about 172,566 homes. 37% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 12% were built in 2010 or later. 67% of households own their home, and the median home value is $410,900.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Anchorage Government data
In an average year, Anchorage has 0 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 178 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 44 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 66°F and winter nights 12°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Anchorage Lake Hood Airport, AK station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.2% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Anchorage area's population grew 1.9% from 2020 to 2025 (398,391 → 405,821), ranking #222 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -1,486).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Anchorage are down 75% from 2021 to 2025 (1,183 → 297). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Anchorage area is 23 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 11% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 72% drive alone, 1% take transit and 9% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Alaska Official source
The main state licensing office in Alaska is the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Contractors register with the state; electrical and mechanical administrators are licensed. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Alaska licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 18.1% of wage and salary workers in Alaska were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#3 of 51 states and D.C.), and 20.7% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Alaska.