Electrical Engineer Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $115,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $115,145/year (≈ $55.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $111,566 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% below the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $115,145 for electrical engineers in Fairbanks, Alaska, the earning potential in this region reflects the challenging decision many engineers face: choosing between an individual contributor (IC) path or ascending to management roles. The full salary range spans from $84,900 at the lower end (P10) to $144,882 for those at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys for 2025, projected to 2026. While the compensation for electrical engineers in Fairbanks trails the national median of $125,033 by about 7.91%, this region's job market remains robust, often requiring specialized skills that can significantly enhance earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,652 | $42.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,145 | $55.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,871 | $68.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,882 | $69.65 |
Median Salary Position
7.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,982 (2026 est.). At $115,145, the local median is 7.91% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be above the median
How Fairbanks Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $115,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $132,655 | -13.20% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -7.91% less |
Electrical Engineers in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $115,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.91% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 13.20% below the Alaska state average of $132,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 3.21% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 103.208 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,145 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,566 — a 3.11% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$90,738
2025 BLS Actual
$111,090
2026 Current Est.
$115,145
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,856 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $90,738 (2019) to $111,090 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,610 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,900 – $88,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,652 – $115,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,145 – $142,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,871 – $144,882 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, the local market employs around 40 electrical engineers, indicating a niche job availability in an otherwise small community. With a cost-of-living index of 103.208, professionals must consider how their salaries stack up against living expenses, impacting real purchasing power. Among employers, sectors such as semiconductor design at leading firms like Apple and Nvidia offer the most lucrative opportunities, supplemented by potential security clearance premiums from defense contractors like Lockheed Martin. The disparity in pay often hinges on industry, with semiconductor roles commanding the highest compensation, followed by defense and technology sectors. Strategies to maximize earnings include pursuing advanced degrees, attaining professional engineering licenses, and carefully weighing the trade-offs between management and technical tracks. For engineers looking to enhance their earning capacity, aligning skills with high-demand sectors while considering the local economic factors in Fairbanks is crucial.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Fairbanks, AK in 2026?
Is Fairbanks, AK a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Fairbanks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Fairbanks?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Fairbanks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alaska
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $111,090 for electrical engineersin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov