Trades & Labor Fairbanks, AK Pop. 32,325

Machinist Salary in Fairbanks, Alaska

The median machinist salary in Fairbanks, AK is $68,418 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median and 4.5% above the Alaska state average.

City Median
$68,418
vs State Avg
+$2,932
vs National
+$19,548
Cost of Living
130%

Machinist Pay in Fairbanks: What to Expect (2026)

Fairbanks offers a median machinist salary of $68,418, which is $2,932 above the Alaska state average of $65,486. Compared to the national median of $48,870, Fairbanks pays above average for this role.

However, Fairbanks's cost of living index is 130%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $68,418 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $52,629. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Fairbanks should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for machinists in Fairbanks spans from $44,800 at the 10th percentile to $103,600 at the 90th percentile — a $58,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $47,600, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $100,800. Fairbanks is a smaller market (pop. 32,325), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Fairbanks by Experience

In Fairbanks, an entry-level machinist earns around $47,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $100,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 130% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,600
+$13,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,000
+$20,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$100,800
+$28,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fairbanks, AK

Percentile Fairbanks
10th Percentile $44,800
25th Percentile $54,600
Median (50th) $68,418
75th Percentile $85,400
90th Percentile $103,600

Machinist Salary in Other Alaska Cities

Juneau, AK
$70,862
Pop. 32,255
Sitka, AK
$69,395
Pop. 8,458
Anchorage, AK
$66,463
Pop. 291,247
Wasilla, AK
$62,554
Pop. 12,000

How to Become a Machinist in Fairbanks

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Fairbanks and the surrounding Alaska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fairbanks may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Fairbanks

Browse open machinist positions in Fairbanks, AK:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Fairbanks

How much does a Machinist make in Fairbanks, AK? ▼
The median machinist salary in Fairbanks, Alaska is $68,418 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $44,800 (10th percentile) to $103,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Fairbanks? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,418, a machinist in Fairbanks earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fairbanks compare to the Alaska state average for machinist pay? ▼
Fairbanks's median machinist salary of $68,418 is 4.5% above the Alaska state average of $65,486. The local cost of living index is 130% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fairbanks, AK? ▼
Fairbanks has a cost of living index of 130% compared to the national average. This means a machinist salary of $68,418 in Fairbanks has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Fairbanks? ▼
Most machinist positions in Fairbanks require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.