City Town Info

Fairbanks Employment

Employment and Industries in the Fairbanks, Alaska Area

Fairbanks is a prominent business, trade and services center. Due to the Fairbanks International Airport the city is the freight distribution and supply center for the region. The major elements of the economy include federal, state and city government agencies; communications, transportation, tourism, and financial. Additional sectors significantly contributing to the economy are manufacturing, education, construction, medical services, and mining. The state's oil revenue is also a prominent factor for Fairbanks's economy.

Including employees at Fort Wainwright and Eilson Air Force Base, more than on-third of the workforce is employed by the government. In addition, the two military bases have a major impact on the economy. The Fort Knox hard rock gold mine and the University of Alaska Fairbanks also have a large number of employees. Many Fairbanks residents also hold commercial fishing permits.

Notable information regarding Fairbanks: The average earnings in 2009 was $29,000. About 20% of the population over the age of 25 have a bachelors degree or higher. The daytime population rises by about 37% due to people commuting to Fairbanks from surrounding areas. The personal tax amount is very low. Residents receive distributions from the Permanent Fund which provides residents 25% of Alaska's royalty oil revenue.

The Governor's Office of International Trade offers a variety of assistance and information to companies interested in foreign trade and investments. The Small Business Development Center provides advice, seminars and workshops for new and established companies. The Chamber of Commerce provides the "School Business Partnership" which helps businesses and schools work together.

Fairbanks major industries for employment are shown below:

  • Government
  • Trade
  • Transportation
  • Education
  • Health services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Construction
  • Professional and business services

Besides Fort Wainwright and Eilson Air Force Base, the largest employers in Fairbanks are:

  • Banner Health System
  • Alyeska Pipeline Service
  • Tanana Chiefs Conference
  • Fairbanks Gold Mining
  • Petro Star
  • University of Alaska
  • Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
  • Donyon, Ltd
  • Dena' Nena' Henash
  • Interior Alaska McDonald's Inc
  • Borough of Fairbanks North
  • Fairbanks Resource Agency
  • City of Fairbanks
  • Golden Valley Electric Association
  • Tanana Valley Medical & Surgical Group
  • Tatonduk Outfitters Limited
  • Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and Denali Center

Helpful business organizations for Fairbanks companies:

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner provides information about the current business activities in Fairbanks.

Most Popular Jobs in Fairbanks, Alaska Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Teachers and instructors, all other24041,180$28,370 - 74,9409%54%
2Civil engineers21074,060$54,490 - 98,93018%87%
3Accountants and auditors20058,500$36,660 - 86,89018%79%
4Child, family, and school social workers18042,440$28,230 - 54,67019%77%
5Chief executives170123,410$58,750 - 2%65%
6Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation14037,680$21,880 - 61,0605%58%
7Managers, all other14058,730$34,270 - 87,3807%55%
8Zoologists and wildlife biologists13058,410$43,450 - 77,4209%95%
9Computer specialists, all other13070,320$55,050 - 90,41015%68%
10Computer programmers12060,140$36,600 - 85,3800%73%
11Financial managers11076,480$51,880 - 104,47013%60%
12Lawyers100109,180$66,840 - 11%99%
13Biological technicians10036,550$26,970 - 47,94016%60%
14Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products10050,460$26,310 - 91,6208%51%
15Natural sciences managers9086,250$57,320 - 124,36011%93%
16Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers80 $ - 13%74%
17Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other8050,790$40,850 - 67,71017%56%
18Sales managers8071,320$39,740 - 130,10010%69%
19Environmental scientists and specialists, including health7056,740$42,230 - 80,54025%93%
20Budget analysts7058,200$44,530 - 77,8507%78%
21Network and computer systems administrators6090,780$51,990 - 154,03027%50%
22Pharmacists60111,740$91,420 - 133,25022%97%
23Management analysts6076,730$46,780 - 122,51022%78%
24Public relations specialists6054,420$34,430 - 80,27018%81%
25Medical and health services managers6074,760$41,460 - 108,11016%57%
26Environmental engineers5065,070$38,030 - 98,61025%86%
27Engineers, all other5078,380$65,090 - 100,6906%82%
28Computer and information systems managers5084,110$57,710 - 106,99016%73%
29Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers5069,770$50,160 - 86,02022%93%
30Social scientists and related workers, all other5054,340$43,170 - 67,1305%90%
31Public relations managers5054,850$34,210 - 79,95017%75%
32Social and community service managers4090,220$44,400 - 150,15025%72%
33Instructional coordinators4060,190$42,710 - 83,01023%79%
34Mental health counselors40 $ - 30%73%
35Technical writers4051,070$41,930 - 65,95020%74%
36Computer software engineers, applications4048,260$26,420 - 67,16045%85%
37Surveyors4063,730$47,460 - 81,33024%82%
38Medical and clinical laboratory technicians4043,480$27,180 - 64,36015%51%
39Computer systems analysts4069,530$45,800 - 110,15029%68%
40Physician assistants4074,480$25,630 - 99,83027%67%
41Occupational health and safety specialists3067,210$44,890 - 87,5908%72%
42Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists3047,910$35,540 - 64,94018%56%
43Graphic designers3035,090$23,360 - 50,70010%55%
44Mechanical engineers3079,090$49,630 - 122,6904%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons1,53029,120$17,240 - 44,55012%25%
2General and operations managers84078,320$37,370 - 145,9502%48%
3Office clerks, general79032,740$22,350 - 44,91013%19%
4Cashiers74024,010$17,250 - 30,970-2%10%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food65020,320$15,800 - 30,03018%5%
6Waiters and waitresses60019,500$16,070 - 21,58011%14%
7Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners54033,000$20,250 - 49,00015%4%
8Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks52037,710$24,010 - 52,57013%16%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand48030,950$20,930 - 46,9102%5%
10Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer46050,020$32,530 - 70,80010%4%
11Maids and housekeeping cleaners45026,480$17,090 - 43,14013%5%
12Receptionists and information clerks43029,530$19,720 - 41,15017%13%
13Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42063,490$51,570 - 80,6208%3%
14Security guards40033,200$22,130 - 39,82017%13%
15Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive39036,110$23,840 - 50,5601%18%
16Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop39019,940$16,560 - 25,39010%8%
17Executive secretaries and administrative assistants38041,020$28,110 - 56,58015%18%
18Electricians32063,720$41,970 - 85,6107%7%
19Bartenders32024,040$18,680 - 29,96011%17%
20Carpenters32060,350$36,270 - 80,63010%6%
21Maintenance and repair workers, general31042,790$23,230 - 64,67010%6%
22Automotive service technicians and mechanics30053,050$28,140 - 78,52014%4%
23Construction laborers30043,980$27,710 - 63,91011%5%
24First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers30048,510$28,230 - 75,6206%29%
25First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers29041,880$23,950 - 64,5204%25%
26Business operations specialists, all other29063,290$42,540 - 92,25021%49%
27Customer service representatives29033,200$22,270 - 48,98025%22%
28Stock clerks and order fillers27034,450$17,960 - 51,230-7%8%
29Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants26032,560$26,300 - 40,77018%7%
30Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters26060,030$36,810 - 83,20011%4%
31Tellers22026,030$19,910 - 33,09014%16%
32Cooks, restaurant21026,510$20,200 - 33,95012%5%
33Truck drivers, light or delivery services21032,640$21,670 - 47,1408%4%
34Aircraft mechanics and service technicians20051,700$31,490 - 74,31011%11%
35All other information and record clerks20036,620$22,300 - 49,640-12%21%
36Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines18068,320$54,800 - 82,29012%3%
37Cargo and freight agents18031,790$19,730 - 46,82017%16%
38Administrative services managers17064,120$34,000 - 100,39012%40%
39Food preparation workers16024,180$17,010 - 33,45015%7%
40First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers16075,350$58,050 - 102,1409%10%
41First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers16073,880$46,500 - 99,4107%13%
42Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other15047,020$32,630 - 64,9808%9%
43Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks15039,170$24,980 - 54,8304%6%
44Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other14041,880$28,970 - 58,04010%46%
45Packers and packagers, hand140 -11%3%
46Billing and posting clerks and machine operators14039,880$26,360 - 61,9304%15%
47Dishwashers13020,550$16,850 - 25,24010%3%
48Child care workers13028,000$15,830 - 39,99018%15%
49Cooks, fast food130 8%5%
50Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers13052,890$40,060 - 69,5805%2%
51Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers12019,540$15,220 - 29,58012%6%
52First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers12031,970$21,810 - 42,94011%14%
53Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers11032,480$18,800 - 45,15012%0%
54Tour guides and escorts11029,100$18,720 - 40,37021%29%
55Service station attendants11025,020$17,640 - 33,06013%6%
56Painters, construction and maintenance11044,800$24,050 - 65,13012%6%
57Dental assistants11038,810$28,130 - 54,26029%9%
58Medical assistants11032,860$26,710 - 40,78035%10%
59Sales representatives, services, all other110 28%48%
60Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks11024,110$17,410 - 31,80017%14%
61Cleaners of vehicles and equipment11026,010$18,320 - 36,13014%3%
62Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers11053,930$38,560 - 67,0909%3%
63Fire fighters11044,130$27,870 - 61,78012%18%
64Construction and related workers, all other11049,490$34,560 - 68,0209%4%
65Preschool teachers, except special education10029,560$18,030 - 38,70026%43%
66Construction managers10086,080$61,460 - 118,16016%29%
67Police and sheriff's patrol officers10057,810$41,180 - 77,36011%33%
68Production, planning, and expediting clerks10040,810$21,900 - 62,2604%30%
69Driver/sales workers10031,920$17,420 - 48,320-4%4%
70Industrial truck and tractor operators10037,740$26,830 - 50,440-1%2%
71Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators9068,700$54,470 - 83,08014%8%
72Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop9019,560$15,670 - 26,53010%17%
73Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses9046,560$36,160 - 60,04014%7%
74Library assistants, clerical9039,940$28,880 - 51,4708%37%
75Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance9046,510$29,370 - 64,9802%11%
76Parts salespersons9033,170$21,250 - 47,540-1%6%
77Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers9062,780$35,250 - 82,3203%13%
78Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers8061,980$43,080 - 80,080-12%7%
79Cost estimators8062,080$42,600 - 83,28019%32%
80First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers8070,370$42,780 - 97,340-4%15%
81Data entry keyers8036,930$25,560 - 49,800-4%18%
82Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping8038,560$29,590 - 49,96011%29%
83Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks8033,460$25,980 - 44,7701%29%
84Electrical power-line installers and repairers7076,100$49,390 - 100,9407%6%
85Transportation, storage, and distribution managers7077,600$47,740 - 105,1008%25%
86File clerks7027,590$19,620 - 40,340-40%20%
87Industrial machinery mechanics7060,620$48,200 - 76,6109%5%
88Computer support specialists7047,910$33,630 - 65,59013%43%
89Cooks, institution and cafeteria7037,510$24,400 - 51,91011%5%
90Recreation workers7037,360$20,590 - 71,17013%47%
91Medical records and health information technicians7038,490$27,710 - 50,92018%12%
92Taxi drivers and chauffeurs6026,490$19,220 - 33,50013%15%
93Bill and account collectors6037,320$26,610 - 48,81023%13%
94First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators6072,650$46,730 - 93,65010%17%
95Counter and rental clerks6026,910$16,950 - 42,32023%16%
96Landscaping and groundskeeping workers6034,460$22,000 - 51,55018%6%
97Property, real estate, and community association managers6062,460$42,810 - 96,34015%36%
98First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers6040,530$27,750 - 62,57013%11%
99Payroll and timekeeping clerks6043,960$30,000 - 60,2403%18%
100Insurance sales agents60 13%45%
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Jobs More Common Near Fairbanks Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Zoologists and wildlife biologists58,41013071.9
Tour guides and escorts29,10011023
Construction and related workers, all other49,49011014.1
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other41,88014014
Cargo and freight agents31,79018010.7
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians51,7002009.5
Biological technicians36,5501008.7
Service station attendants25,0201108.3
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines68,3201807.6
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators63,4904205.8
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other47,0201505.5
All other information and record clerks36,6202004.4
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers32,4801103.7
Civil engineers74,0602103.7
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop19,9403903.6
Child, family, and school social workers42,4401803.4
Administrative services managers64,1201703.2
Computer specialists, all other70,3201303.1
Bartenders24,0403203.1
Chief executives123,4101702.9
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters60,0302602.8
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation37,6801402.7
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks24,1101102.5
Maids and housekeeping cleaners26,4804502.5
General and operations managers78,3208402.5
Electricians63,7203202.4
Teachers and instructors, all other41,1802402.4
Automotive service technicians and mechanics53,0503002.2
Fire fighters44,1301102.1
Construction managers86,0801002.1
Painters, construction and maintenance44,8001102.1
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers53,9301102
Tellers26,0302201.9
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers52,8901301.9
Receptionists and information clerks29,5304301.8
Managers, all other58,7301401.8
Dental assistants38,8101101.8
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers73,8801601.8
Carpenters60,3503201.8
Security guards33,2004001.7
Production, planning, and expediting clerks40,8101001.7
Retail salespersons29,1201,5301.6
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment26,0101101.6
Construction laborers43,9803001.5
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer50,0204601.4
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks37,7105201.4
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19,5401201.4
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers75,3501601.3
Computer programmers60,1401201.3
Driver/sales workers31,9201001.3

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Fairbanks, Alaska Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines68,3201.59180
Carpenters60,3501.54320
Stock clerks and order fillers34,4501.51270
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers52,8901.5130
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators63,4901.48420
Automotive service technicians and mechanics53,0501.46300
Child care workers28,0001.45130
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners33,0001.44540
Construction laborers43,9801.41300
Maids and housekeeping cleaners26,4801.38450
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks39,1701.37150
Electricians63,7201.36320
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants32,5601.36260
Construction and related workers, all other49,4901.35110
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer50,0201.33460
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers53,9301.32110
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators39,8801.32140
Security guards33,2001.32400
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers32,4801.31110
Painters, construction and maintenance44,8001.31110
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters60,0301.3260
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other47,0201.3150
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers73,8801.3160
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers75,3501.3160
Cashiers24,0101.3740
Office clerks, general32,7401.29790
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand30,9501.28480
Food preparation workers24,1801.26160
Maintenance and repair workers, general42,7901.25310
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment26,0101.24110
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks24,1101.24110
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive36,1101.24390
Bartenders24,0401.24320
Receptionists and information clerks29,5301.23430
Cooks, restaurant26,5101.22210
Service station attendants25,0201.22110
Dental assistants38,8101.2110
Tour guides and escorts29,1001.2110
Retail salespersons29,1201.191,530
Dishwashers20,5501.19130
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food20,3201.18650
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks37,7101.18520
Medical assistants32,8601.17110
Truck drivers, light or delivery services32,6401.13210
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19,5401.12120
Customer service representatives33,2001.12290
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop19,9401.12390
All other information and record clerks36,6201.11200
Tellers26,0301.1220
Teachers and instructors, all other41,1801.08240

Highest Paying Jobs in Fairbanks, Alaska Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Family and general practitioners160,91040
Physicians and surgeons, all other145,590 
Chief executives123,410170
Pharmacists111,74060
Lawyers109,180100
Network and computer systems administrators90,78060
Social and community service managers90,22040
Natural sciences managers86,25090
Construction managers86,080100
Computer and information systems managers84,11050
Mechanical engineers79,09030
Engineers, all other78,38050
General and operations managers78,320840
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers77,60070
Management analysts76,73060
Financial managers76,480110
Electrical power-line installers and repairers76,10070
Registered nurses75,430 
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers75,350160
Medical and health services managers74,76060
Physician assistants74,48040
Civil engineers74,060210
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers73,880160
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators72,65060
Telecommunications line installers and repairers71,900 
Sales managers71,32080
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers70,37080
Computer specialists, all other70,320130
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers69,77050
Computer systems analysts69,53040
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators68,70090
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines68,320180
Occupational health and safety specialists67,21030
Environmental engineers65,07050
Administrative services managers64,120170
Surveyors63,73040
Electricians63,720320
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators63,490420
Business operations specialists, all other63,290290
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers62,78090
Property, real estate, and community association managers62,46060
Cost estimators62,08080
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers61,98080
Industrial machinery mechanics60,62070
Carpenters60,350320
Instructional coordinators60,19040
Computer programmers60,140120
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters60,030260
Managers, all other58,730140
Accountants and auditors58,500200

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