Fairbanks Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Fairbanks, AK: $31.35/hr median hourly wage, $65,200 median annual salary, cost of living index 120, and $11.73/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Alaska taxes.
Fairbanks Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Fairbanks, AK is $31.35/hr, equivalent to $65,200 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $19.44/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $44.52/hr, and the local minimum wage is $11.73/hr.
Median Salary
$65,200
$31.35/hr
Cost of Living
120
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$11.73
per hour
Unemployment
5.2%
rate
Fairbanks, AK Overview
Population
32,515
Median Salary
$65,200
Average Salary
$71,000
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Rent
$1,250/mo
Job Growth
+0.3%
Sales Tax
0%
Fairbanks is located in Alaska with a population of 32,515. The median household salary is $65,200 per year ($31.35/hour), which is $5,816 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.3%.
Fairbanks Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Fairbanks, AK based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $65,200 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $40,424 | $19.44/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $65,200 | $31.35/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $92,584 | $44.52/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $116,056 | $55.80/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Fairbanks Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Fairbanks, AK, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$54,568
$4,547.35/month · $2,098.78/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.3%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,098.78 take-home per paycheck after estimated Alaska and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$65,200
Federal Tax
-$5,644
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,988
Net Pay
$54,568
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,433.33 | $65,200.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$470.33 | -$5,644.00 |
| Alaska State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$336.87 | -$4,042.40 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.78 | -$945.40 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,547.35 | $54,568.20 |
Salary Comparison: Fairbanks vs Other Cities
See how Fairbanks's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks, AK | $65,200 | 120 | $54,333 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Windsor, CO | $65,194 | 105.3 | $61,913 |
| Riverhead, NY | $65,192 | 122.4 | $53,261 |
| Franklin Township, NJ | $65,180 | 130.6 | $49,908 |
| Newark, CA | $65,221 | 141.1 | $46,223 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Fairbanks
Fairbanks's cost of living index is 120 (national average = 100). Living in Fairbanks is 20% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Annual Rent Cost
$15,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $54,568 annual take-home pay in Fairbanks has the purchasing power of approximately $45,474 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $78,240 in Fairbanks to match a $65,200 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Fairbanks
Fairbanks's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $65,200.
Salary Tips for Fairbanks Workers
- No state income tax advantage. Alaska has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Fairbanks's top industries include Military, Education, Mining. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $65,200 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Fairbanks salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Fairbanks-AK metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Fairbanks indexed at 120.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Fairbanks's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $65,200 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Alaska state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (0%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Fairbanks: 5.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Education, Mining — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Alaska.
- Housing context: median home price $260,000, median rent $1,250/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Fairbanks, AK:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Fairbanks unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Fairbanks QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Alaska — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Fairbanks's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Alaska labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Fairbanks, AK?
The median hourly wage in Fairbanks, AK is $31.35 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $65,200 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $19.44/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $44.52/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Fairbanks, AK?
The median salary in Fairbanks, AK is $65,200 per year, or $31.35 per hour. The average salary is $71,000. This is $5,816 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Fairbanks, AK?
Fairbanks's cost of living index is 120 (national average = 100), meaning it is 20% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $260,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,250.
What are the best industries in Fairbanks?
The top industries in Fairbanks, AK include Military, Education, Mining. The city has a job growth rate of 0.3% and an unemployment rate of 5.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $65,200.
How does Fairbanks's salary compare to other cities?
Fairbanks's median salary of $65,200 is 9.8% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 120), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,333.
What is the minimum wage in Fairbanks, AK?
The minimum wage in Fairbanks, AK is $11.73 per hour. This equals approximately $24,398 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $4.48 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.