How to become a state trooper in Alaska
The Alaska Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers hires state troopers under the title Alaska State Trooper. New state troopers start at $97,365 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $97,365 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Source:[doa.alaska.gov]
Pay for this work across Alaska
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Alaska, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 1,260 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $60,670 |
| Median pay | $99,130 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $137,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Must be 21 by the start of the academy; no maximum age if able to perform the essential functions
- No Alaska residency, height/weight, or prior law enforcement experience required for recruits
- Laterals need at least one year of full-time patrol experience and APSC reciprocity approval
- Evaluated against Alaska Police Standards Council regulations (13 AAC 85) and DPS background standards
Source:[alaskastatetrooper.com]
Hiring process
- Confirm minimum qualifications and watch the Candidate Assistance video series
- Apply online (Workplace Alaska)
- On invitation, complete the Personal History Questionnaire and documents through the Guardian portal, plus the initial physical fitness test
- Complete the final proctored physical fitness test (verified by video)
- Background investigation (by phone and email, about 2-3 months)
- On invitation, travel to Anchorage for the hiring board interview, psychological written test/interview, physical exam/drug screen and polygraph
- Final review and firm job offer
- DPS Training Academy in Sitka
Source:[alaskastatetrooper.com]
Academy
17 weeks, paid. Residential academy at the DPS Training Academy in Sitka (dormitory rooms). Spring academy starts in January, fall in late July. Graduates are assigned to a training post (Fairbanks, Palmer or Soldotna).[alaskastatetrooper.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Alaska PERS Tier IV Defined Contribution Retirement (DCR) Plan, plus Supplemental Annuity Plan (SBS) and optional Deferred Compensation (457)
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
No defined benefit pension for new hires. DCR 401(a): employee 8%, employer 5%, employer share vests at 5 years. SBS 401(a): employee and employer 6.125% each, described as in lieu of Social Security. DPS states combined savings of at least 25.25% of salary per year (includes employer retiree-health contributions). DRB lists no 2025-2026 law reopening a DB plan.
Source:[alaskastatetrooper.com]