Civil Engineer Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $114,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $114,001/year (≈ $54.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $110,458 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Fairbanks, Alaska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $114,001. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lowest earners receiving approximately $80,647 and the highest reaching up to $166,178. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the increasing demand for civil engineering professionals driven by infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The competitive job market in Fairbanks, bolstered by such funding initiatives, is creating attractive opportunities for engineers looking to make their mark in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,647 | $38.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,798 | $44.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,001 | $54.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,282 | $65.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,178 | $79.90 |
Median Salary Position
10.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,531 (2026 est.). At $114,001, the local median is 10.15% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $114,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $109,828 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +10.15% more |
Civil Engineers in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $114,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.80% above the Alaska state average of $109,828.
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 $114,001 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,458 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,030
2025 BLS Actual
$111,080
2026 Current Est.
$114,001
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,000 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 32.2% from $84,030 (2019) to $111,080 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,970 (39.24%) 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 2.63% 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) | $80,647 – $92,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,798 – $114,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,001 – $136,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,282 – $166,178 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fairbanks
The local job market currently employs around 240 civil engineers, indicating a robust demand for engineering expertise in Fairbanks. However, the cost of living in the area is slightly higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 103.208. This slightly elevated index can impact take-home income, making it essential for prospective engineers to consider their salary relative to living expenses. Top-paying employers in Fairbanks may include leading engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, along with established construction companies like Bechtel. Factors influencing salary variations include the possession of a Professional Engineer license, which can open doors to higher pay scales, specialization in areas such as structural or transportation engineering, and experience level. As infrastructure projects ramp up, those engineers who pursue certifications and focus on in-demand specialties will find themselves with the best opportunities to maximize their civil engineer pay in Fairbanks, AK.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
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 $111,080 for civil engineersin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 2.63% 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, 7-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 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov