The Alaska State Troopers offer one of the highest law enforcement salaries in the nation, with a general cost of living comparable to the pacific northwest. While the job of providing law enforcement in The Last Frontier is not an easy one, the salary and benefits we offer ensure you are able to have a quality lifestyle for you and your family, across the state.
Base rate (without geographical differentials), premium pay, shift differentials, standby pay factored in.
State Trooper Recruit
$45.01/hour ($93,620.80/year)
State Trooper Recruit with a bachelor’s degree or higher
$46.70/hour ($97,136.20/year)
Applicants with a current police certification and at least one year of experience may qualify for higher rates of pay:
State Trooper Lateral
Experience:
1 year: $48.45/ hour ($100,776/year)
2 years: $50.27/hour ($104,561/year)
3 years: $52.16/hour ($108,492/year)
4 years: $54.12/hour ($112,569/year)
5 years: $56.15/hour ($116,792/year)
6+ years: $58.26/hour ($121,180/year)
(Bachelor’s degree add 3.75% to lateral salaries above)
While the cost of living in some places in Alaska is accounted for in our geographic pay differentials, some applicants like to know how costs compare in our training posts. Feel free to use the tools below to compare the cost of living from your current location to locations in Alaska:
Members electing to extend their rural duty beyond their transfer eligibility, at select locations, shall be paid three thousand dollars ($3,000) at the completion of each additional year they elect to remain at that remote post (for a maximum of five years).
Trooper pay is based upon geographical assignment. Pay rates can increase up to 60% from the base rate, depending on assignment location.
< 2 years of service = 14 hours per month
2-5 years = 17.5 hours per month
5-10 years = 21 hours per month
10-15 years = 24.5 hours per month
15+ years of service = 28 hours per month
Leave can be cashed in at the standard hourly rate. For complete details, see the Public Safety Employees’ Association Collective Bargaining Agreement at:
Shift Differential Pay
Swings (12:00PM-7:59PM) 3.75%
Graves (8:00PM-03:59AM) 7.5%
Premium Pay
Standby Pay: 2 hours of pay at regular straight time per day Education Incentive (Bachelor’s Degree or higher) 3.75%
Instructor Pay 5%
SWAT 5%
Pilot 5%
Field Training Officer 7.5%
Officer in charge of shift 5%
Investigator 7.5%
Intermediate Police Certificate 3%
Advanced Police Certificate 3.75%
K9 Handler Premium Pay
Geographical Differential Pay
These range from 0% to 60% above basic pay rate and vary based on geographical location in Alaska
Major Medical, or Catastrophic Insurance plans available at
Between the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan and the Supplemental Annuity Plan, new Troopers will see their retirement savings growing at a minimum of 25.25% of their salary, each year. Coupled with good asset management, this rapid contribution rate may result in a very robust retirement. The State of Alaska recommends seeking professional advice in the management of retirement funds, and the State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits offers opportunities for retirement planning education, state of the art tools, investment option information and easy account management. For more information, see the Retirement Plan Main Page at:
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (DCR) (IRS 401a plan) Employee contribution 8% of Salary Employer Contribution 5% of Salary
(employer portion vests at five years)
Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan (SBS) – IRS 401a plan in lieu of social security. Employee contributes 6.125% of salary, employer contributes 6.125% of salary.
Alaska Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) – IRS 457 plan: Employee may voluntarily contribute additional funds, no employer match.
After successfully completing the 17-week DPS Training Academy, Alaska State and Wildlife Trooper Recruits will be provided paid administrative time (five days) to travel home, move themselves to Alaska, then submit receipts of their expenses for reimbursement up to $10,000. For guidance on what is covered, see the Alaska Administrative Manual AAM 60.350.
In many locations, the state provides subsidized state housing for troopers assigned to that area.
All troopers who successfully complete their field training, will be provided a take home patrol vehicle, which may also be used for personal use, within post boundaries.
Candidate Assistance Video Series
State of Alaska Department of Public Safety, 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, Phone: (907) 269-5511