Alaska Travel Nursing Jobs
Remote Premium · Bush Nursing · Urban Anchorage · 0% State Tax
Alaska offers some of the highest travel nursing pay in the US — $4,000–$6,000/week for urban assignments, $5,000–$7,000/week for remote Bush positions. Zero state income tax, breathtaking wilderness, and the ultimate frontier nursing experience make Alaska the destination for nurses seeking maximum pay and maximum adventure.
0% Alaska State Income Tax
No state income tax on any income — including travel nurse taxable base pay. Combined with remote premium, AK delivers among the best after-tax travel nurse pay in the US.
Remote Premium for Bush & Rural Assignments
Village health clinics and rural Critical Access Hospitals pay 20–40% above urban AK rates — plus housing is typically included. Bush nursing is the highest-paying nursing niche in Alaska.
Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
Alaska residents receive an annual PFD check ($1,000–$2,000+) from Alaska's oil revenues. Nurses on extended contracts (12+ months) may qualify. Confirm eligibility with your agency.
Live Alaska Travel Nursing Jobs
Updated every 4 hoursAlaska jobs are competitive — submit your profile and be first in line.
New Alaska openings post and fill within 24–48 hours. Early submission = first access.
Submit Profile NowAlaska Travel Nurse Pay by Setting & Specialty (2025)
| Setting / Specialty | Weekly Package | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Bush / Remote Village Clinic | $5,000 – $7,000+ | Interior, Arctic, Western AK | Housing included; highest AK pay; full autonomy; medevac-adjacent |
| ICU / Critical Care (Anchorage) | $4,500 – $5,800 | Providence Alaska MC | Largest ICU in state; Level II trauma; complex case mix |
| ER / Emergency (Anchorage) | $4,200 – $5,500 | Providence, Alaska Regional (HCA) | Trauma from outdoor recreation + urban Anchorage population |
| OR / Surgical (Anchorage) | $4,000 – $5,200 | Providence, Alaska Regional | Strong OR demand; CNOR preferred; orthopedic trauma volume |
| Med-Surg / Tele (Anchorage/Fairbanks) | $3,800 – $4,800 | Providence, Fairbanks Memorial | Most available positions; broadest scope of practice |
| L&D / OB (Anchorage) | $4,000 – $5,000 | Providence, Mat-Su Regional | High-risk OB; Alaska Native population-focused care |
| NICU (Anchorage) | $4,500 – $5,500 | Providence Alaska (Level III) | Only Level III NICU in AK; all Bush NICU transfers come here |
| Rural CAH (Southeast AK) | $4,000 – $5,200 | Sitka, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kenai | Coastal/rainforest setting; ferry/floatplane culture; remote premium |
* Weekly package = taxable base + tax-free housing stipend (Anchorage GSA ~$2,000–$2,600/mo) + tax-free meal stipend. Remote positions often include housing.
Alaska Travel Nursing by Region
Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage / Mat-Su)
Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital (HCA), Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
- Anchorage = 40% of Alaska's entire population (~300K)
- Providence AK: 401-bed Level II trauma, largest hospital in AK, Level III NICU
- Alaska Regional: HCA system, strong ER and ICU travel contracts
- Most urban AK market; wide selection of restaurants, activities
- 0% state tax + competitive pay + reasonable cost of living vs other premium markets
- Aurora borealis visible from Anchorage on clear winter nights
Interior Alaska (Fairbanks)
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Denali Center Long-Term Care
- Second-largest AK city (~100K people including Fort Wainwright/Eielson military)
- Fairbanks Memorial: 152-bed community hospital, strong RN demand
- Best location in AK for northern lights viewing (clearer skies than coast)
- Extreme temperature range: -40°F winters to 90°F summers
- Gold mining history; wilderness access to Denali National Park
- Lower cost of living than Anchorage; strong community feel
Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan)
Bartlett Regional Hospital (Juneau), Sitka Community Hospital, PeaceHealth Ketchikan
- Juneau = state capital; no road connection to rest of AK (ferry/plane only)
- Bartlett Regional: 57-bed community hospital, critical access designation
- Coastal rainforest climate; cruise ship tourism May–September
- Sitka: rugged island community, Tlingit cultural heritage
- Ketchikan: southernmost Alaska city; PeaceHealth system
- Strong sense of community; ferry system connects coastal towns
Alaska Bush / Remote (Interior, Arctic, Western AK)
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Bethel), Norton Sound Regional (Nome), Arctic Slope Regional (Barrow/Utqiaġvik), 200+ village health clinics
- Access by small plane, snowmobile, or boat only — no roads
- Highest-paying AK nursing: $5,000–$7,000/week with housing included
- Serve Alaska Native communities; cultural sensitivity essential
- Function as primary care + emergency nurse + case manager in one role
- Medical evacuation coordination is a core nursing skill
- ANTHC (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium) manages many village clinics
Alaska vs Hawaii vs Washington — Premium Pacific Travel Markets
| Factor | 🐻 Alaska | 🌺 Hawaii | 🌊 Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Weekly Pay (ICU) | $4,500–$5,800 | $4,200–$5,000 | $3,800–$4,800 |
| Remote/Bush Premium | Up to $7,000+/wk | Neighbor island +15% | Eastern WA rural premium |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 1.4%–11% | 0% |
| NLC Compact | No | No | No |
| License Processing | 6–10 weeks | 6–12 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Cost of Living | High (rural = remote cost) | Very High | High (Seattle) |
| Lifestyle Offering | Wilderness, glaciers, aurora | Beaches, aloha | Mountains, rain, urban |
| Tourism Trauma Volume | Summer (outdoor rec) | Year-round | Moderate |
| Isolation Factor | Very High (Bush) | Moderate | Low |
Alaska Travel Nursing — FAQs
Q.How much do travel nurses make in Alaska?
Travel nurses in Alaska earn $4,000–$6,000/week for standard urban assignments (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau). Remote Bush positions at village health clinics and rural Critical Access Hospitals pay $5,000–$7,000+/week with housing included. Alaska's 0% state income tax means you keep significantly more of your gross pay than in California or Washington assignments at similar rates.
Q.What is Bush nursing in Alaska?
Bush nursing refers to RN assignments in Alaska's roadless rural communities — Interior, Western, and Arctic Alaska villages accessible only by small plane, snowmobile, or boat. Bush nurses function with extreme autonomy: primary care, emergency response, chronic disease management, and medevac coordination all fall within their scope. The work is demanding and rewarding — and pays $5,000–$7,000+/week with housing provided. Prior experience in rural nursing, ER, or primary care is essential.
Q.Does Alaska have an NLC Compact nursing license?
No. Alaska is not an NLC Compact member. You must obtain an Alaska RN license to work there, regardless of which state your current license is from. Apply through the Alaska Board of Nursing (ABON) at the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Allow 6–10 weeks for processing. Many travel nurses who love Alaska maintain their AK license year-round between assignments.
Q.What time of year should I travel nurse in Alaska?
Summer (May–September): peak tourism season, best weather, highest ER/trauma volume from outdoor recreation. Easiest time for newcomers to acclimate. Winter (October–April): fewest travelers, most critical staffing shortages, highest crisis rates — and aurora borealis season. Many experienced Alaska travel nurses prefer winter assignments for the crisis pay premium and the Northern Lights. Plan for extreme cold (Fairbanks averages -10°F in January) and 4–5 hours of daylight in December.
Q.What are the best facilities for travel nursing in Alaska?
Providence Alaska Medical Center (Anchorage) is the top facility — 401 beds, Level II trauma, Level III NICU, the largest hospital in AK. Alaska Regional Hospital (HCA, Anchorage) is the second-largest with strong ICU and ER travel contracts. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital serves Interior Alaska. Bartlett Regional (Juneau) is a popular Southeast AK option. For remote work: ANTHC (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium) manages dozens of village health clinics across Bush Alaska.
Alaska Is Calling. Ready for the Adventure?
CatSol places travel nurses at Providence Alaska, Alaska Regional, Fairbanks Memorial, Southeast AK coastal hospitals, and remote Bush facilities — with full licensing support.