Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Alaska is $124,340/year ($59.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $119,202 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 20.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $124K get you in Alaska?
About mechanical engineers
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for mechanical engineers, local pay runs about 19% higher than the U.S. median of $104K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,643/month, 20.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Alaska offers a genuinely strong financial position for mechanical engineerss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $124K. Top earners bring in $174K or more, a $97K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Alaska
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College | $123K | -1% | 50 |
| Anchorage | $122K | -2% | 270 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $124K, rent takes 20.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $77K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,613/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mechanical engineer a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 19% above the national median — $124K here vs. $104K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Alaska pays $124K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s +19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Alaska?
The median is $124,340 a year, that works out to about $60 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,890, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $174,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $124K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,978/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 20.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineers salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineers salary is worth about $119,202 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.