Electrical Engineer Salary

Anchorage vs Wasilla: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Anchorage, AK and Wasilla, AK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anchorage, AK
$131,356
$63.15/hr
Wasilla, AK
$122,640
$58.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnchorage, AKWasilla, AK
Median Salary$131,356$122,640
Hourly Rate$63.15$58.97
Entry Level (P10)$85,739$84,906
25th Percentile$103,899$95,260
75th Percentile$161,010$150,881
Top Earner (P90)$186,446$175,031
Total Employed2204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anchorage ($131,356) and Wasilla ($122,640) electrical engineer salaries.AnchorageWasillaMedian Salary$131,356$122,640Entry Level (P10)$85,739$84,906Top Earner (P90)$186,446$175,031US Median $125,033

Verdict

Anchorage, AK offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wasilla.

The salary gap between Anchorage and Wasilla is $8,716 (7.11%). Anchorage's median is +5.06% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anchorage spans $100,707,Wasilla spans $90,125. Anchorage has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anchorage
P10 (Entry)$85,739
P25$103,899
Median$131,356
P75$161,010
P90 (Top)$186,446
Wasilla
P10 (Entry)$84,906
P25$95,260
Median$122,640
P75$150,881
P90 (Top)$175,031

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anchorage ($124,603 effective) pays 7.80% more than Wasilla ($115,589 effective).

Anchorage
Nominal: $131,356
CoL Index: 105.42
Adjusted: $124,603
Wasilla
Nominal: $122,640
CoL Index: 106.1
Adjusted: $115,589

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anchorage if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,356/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,446)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $124,603)
  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Choose Wasilla if…

  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Anchorage grew 22.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.2% growth in Wasilla over the same period.

Anchorage, AK

+22.6%

$103,390 (2019) → $126,730 (2025)

Wasilla, AK

+2.2%

$115,742 (2024) → $118,321 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Anchorage or Wasilla?

Anchorage has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $131,356/year, compared to Wasilla at $122,640/year — a difference of $8,716 (7.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anchorage and Wasilla?

Anchorage electrical engineers earn $63.15/hr while Wasilla hygienists earn $58.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anchorage to Wasilla as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anchorage and Wasilla. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anchorage = $124,603, Wasilla = $115,589), job availability (220 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Anchorage vs Wasilla?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $85,739 in Anchorage and $84,906 in Wasilla. The Anchorage area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov