Elementary School Teacher Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $79,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $79,936/year (≈ $38.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $77,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.6% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teachers in Fairbanks, Alaska, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $79,936 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,597. The salary offers a range from $61,709 at the 10th percentile to $100,202 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a structured pay scale typical in public education. The data highlights a cost-of-living premium; Fairbanks has a cost of living index of 103.208, indicating that higher teacher salaries are necessary to maintain similar living standards compared to other regions. This compensation structure provides a clear picture of how fair teacher pay is influenced by local economic factors and the demand for quality education.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,709 | $29.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,709 | $29.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,936 | $38.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,202 | $48.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,202 | $48.18 |
Median Salary Position
23.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,493 (2026 est.). At $79,936, the local median is 23.75% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $79,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $68,556 | +16.60% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +23.75% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $79,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.75% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 16.60% above the Alaska state average of $68,556.
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 $79,936 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,451 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,100
2025 BLS Actual
$79,160
2026 Current Est.
$79,936
2019–2027 Growth
+4.7%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,411 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 2.7% from $77,100 (2019) to $79,160 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,619 (4.69%) 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 0.98% 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) | $61,709 – $61,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,709 – $79,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,936 – $100,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,202 – $100,202 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, approximately 290 elementary school teachers are employed, contributing to a robust educational environment. However, the cost of living also plays a vital role in determining take-home pay, as it impacts purchasing power for educators. Among local employers, Alaska's public K-12 school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, but some charter schools and private institutions may vary significantly in compensation. The disparity in teacher salaries can largely be attributed to the step-and-lane pay structure, which rewards years of service and education levels, along with potential stipends for hard-to-fill positions in special education or STEM. For teachers looking to maximize their earnings in this Alaska market, pursuing advanced degrees or additional certifications, such as the National Board Certification, can enhance their pay scale. Understanding these factors will help educators effectively navigate their career potential within Fairbanks's educational framework.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
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 $79,160 for elementary school teachersin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 0.98% 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, 6-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 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov