Accountant Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $84,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $84,653/year (≈ $40.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $82,022 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Fairbanks, Alaska, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $84,653, closely reflecting the emerging trends in the local job market for finance professionals. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions paying around $58,642, while experienced accountants can command as much as $123,122. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrating a growing demand for accounting expertise in Fairbanks. This upward trajectory in accounting pay indicates a local ecosystem increasingly valuing skilled professionals, which is advantageous for those transitioning from public to industry roles, as many do within the first few years of their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,642 | $28.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,607 | $34.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,653 | $40.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,312 | $48.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,122 | $59.20 |
Median Salary Position
1.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,480 (2026 est.). At $84,653, the local median is 1.41% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Accountant Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $84,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $91,123 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -1.41% less |
Accountants in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $84,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.41% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.10% below the Alaska state average of $91,123.
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 $84,653 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,022 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,380
2025 BLS Actual
$82,500
2026 Current Est.
$84,653
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,863 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.6% from $68,380 (2019) to $82,500 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,863 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,483 (27.03%) 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 2.61% 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) | $58,642 – $72,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,607 – $84,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,653 – $100,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,312 – $123,122 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Fairbanks
Looking deeper into the local market, Fairbanks employs approximately 170 accountants, which gives a solid foundation for professional opportunities despite a cost of living index slightly above the national average at 103.208. This figure hints at a reality where take-home pay may not stretch as far as in more affordable regions. Among local employers, large public accounting firms such as Deloitte and KPMG typically offer the highest salaries, followed by midsize CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. The disparities in accountant pay in Fairbanks can be attributed to various factors including the prestige associated with CPA licensure, the tier of the accounting firm, and the specialization of services like tax or forensic accounting. Professionals seeking to maximize their compensation should consider obtaining advanced certifications and experience, as well as capitalizing on busy seasons to negotiate better compensation packages. Understanding these dynamics can better inform prospective candidates about how much do accountants make in Fairbanks and how to position themselves for higher earnings.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
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 $82,500 for accountantsin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 2.61% 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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov