Aerospace Engineering Salary in Alaska: Is It a Good Career?

Alaska · 2026 BLS salary data

Aerospace Engineering pay in Alaska

The median wage is $101,710/yr — 25% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Alaskaranks #38 of 41 states by median pay.

The numbers in Alaska

Real BLS state-level figures for Aerospace Engineering.

Median salary: $101,710/yr
Pay range (25th–75th): $98,330 – $114,310
National median: $134,960/yr
Employed in Alaska: 100

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Alaska

Salary alone can mislead — Alaska costs 2% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100): 102.4
Nominal median: $101,710
Adjusted for cost of living: ≈ $99,326
State income tax: None

Alaska levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do aerospace engineering professionals make in Alaska?

The median annual wage is $101,710 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $98,330 and $114,310. That's 25% below the national median.

Is Alaska a good state for aerospace engineering?

By raw pay, Alaska ranks #38 of 41 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Alaska costs 2% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $99,326. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are aerospace engineering professionals in demand in Alaska?

About 100 people work in this field in Alaska (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +6.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Aerospace Engineering nationally — Alaska pay is 25% below the national median. See the full Aerospace Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes — aerospace engineering pays well from a bachelor's degree, with faster-than-average growth driven by space, defense, and aviation. It's a rigorous degree with geographically concentrated jobs, but a strong, prestigious choice for the technically inclined.

Worth it If you're strong in math/physics and love aircraft or spacecraft
Worth it If you're open to relocating to aerospace/defense hubs
Not worth it If you want geographic flexibility or an easy degree

Pros & cons

Pros

Strong pay from a bachelor's degree
Faster-than-average projected growth (space, defense)
Prestigious, cutting-edge work
Skills transfer to broader engineering
Riding the commercial-space boom

Cons

Rigorous, math- and physics-heavy degree
Jobs concentrated in specific regions
Some roles require security clearances/citizenship
Cyclical with defense and aerospace budgets
On-site work — limited remote options

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

Strong math/physics students
People passionate about aviation or space
Those willing to relocate to industry hubs

✗ Probably not if…

People needing geographic flexibility
Those who dislike heavy math and physics

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Aerospace Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.