Police Officer Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $108,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $108,594/year (≈ $52.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $105,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.3% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, police officer salaries reflect a competitive landscape with a median annual pay projected at $108,594 for 2026. This figure is significantly higher than the national median of $78,542, illustrating that police officers in Fairbanks earn approximately 38.26% more than their counterparts across the country. The pay scale in Fairbanks ranges from $80,902 at the lower 10th percentile to an impressive $151,251 at the 90th percentile, according to projections derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. The pension multiplier for local law enforcement typically impacts long-term financial outcomes, making the annual compensation even more attractive when considering retirement benefits in relation to salary structures available in both urban and rural settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,902 | $38.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,877 | $45.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,594 | $52.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,764 | $60.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,251 | $72.72 |
Median Salary Position
38.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,349 (2026 est.). At $108,594, the local median is 38.26% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Police Officer Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $108,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $83,342 | +30.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +38.26% more |
Police Officers in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $108,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.26% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 30.30% above the Alaska state average of $83,342.
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 $108,594 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,219 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,850
2025 BLS Actual
$105,370
2026 Current Est.
$108,594
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 22.7% from $85,850 (2019) to $105,370 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,067 (30.36%) 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 3.06% 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) | $80,902 – $94,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,877 – $108,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,594 – $125,764 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,764 – $151,251 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Fairbanks
The job market for police officers in Fairbanks is solid, with around 110 officers currently employed in the area. However, living in Fairbanks comes with a cost-of-living index of 103.208, slightly above the national average, which can affect the overall purchasing power of take-home pay. Among employers, municipal police departments generally offer salaries closer to the median, while federal law enforcement agencies often provide higher compensation. Factors contributing to the salary spread include the type of agency, shift differentials, overtime structures influenced by union contracts, and educational incentive pay. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Fairbanks, pursuing specialized roles such as detectives or SWAT team members, and obtaining advanced degrees can result in significantly increased pay. Strategic choices in agency type, along with understanding the impact of local contract agreements, can help officers navigate their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
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 $105,370 for police officersin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov