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Civil Engineer Salary in Alaska: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Civil Engineer salary really buy you in Alaska?

Alaska is 2.0% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$107,240
Median annual (2024)
-2.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$105,137
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.0)

Alaska Cost of Living Index

Alaska's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.0, meaning prices are 2.0% higher the national average. A Civil Engineer earning $107,240 in Alaska has the equivalent purchasing power of $105,137 in an average-cost US state.

AK: 102.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Alaska's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $78,800 $77,254 $-1,545
25th Percentile (P25) $89,210 $87,460 $-1,749
Median (P50) $107,240 $105,137 $-2,102
75th Percentile (P75) $131,610 $129,029 $-2,580
90th Percentile (P90) $162,420 $159,235 $-3,184
Key Insight

Alaska's cost of living is close to the national average, so $107,240 keeps most of its value at $105,137 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Civil Engineer (After Cost of Living)

Where does Civil Engineer salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$119,060
RPP 87.3
$114,945
RPP 91.0
$112,969
RPP 90.6
$112,094
RPP 88.8
$112,080
RPP 89.4
6. Alabama
$111,731
RPP 87.8
$110,645
RPP 89.8
$108,410
RPP 88.7
$108,079
RPP 88.0
$107,211
RPP 104.7

Alaska ranks #15 out of 49 states for Civil Engineer after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Civil Engineer in Alaska after cost of living?

A Civil Engineer in Alaska earns a median salary of $107,240 per year. After adjusting for Alaska's cost of living (RPP=102.0), the real purchasing power is $105,137 — a -2.0% difference.

Is Alaska expensive to live in?

Alaska's cost of living is 2.0% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Alaska is 102.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Civil Engineer in Alaska: $107,240 x (100 / 102.0) = $105,137. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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