Civil Engineer Salary in Sitka, AK: $101,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Sitka, AK earns a median $101,446/year (≈ $48.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Sitka's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $95,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Sitka, Alaska are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,446, positioning them slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this role in the city varies broadly, extending from $74,779 at the 10th percentile to $153,624 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the importance of licensure in this field. Achieving a Professional Engineer (PE) license generally enables civil engineers to unlock higher earning potential, especially in specialized roles, which is crucial in a market where strong competition exists among local firms, government agencies, and private developers.
About the Sitka Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,779 | $35.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,424 | $40.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,446 | $48.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,470 | $60.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,624 | $73.85 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sitka
In Sitka, AK, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,845 (2026 est.). At $101,446, the local median is 1.98% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sitka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sitka Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Sitka median: $101,446/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sitka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $109,790 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -1.98% less |
Civil Engineers in Sitka, AK earn a median of $101,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $109,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sitka has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sitka, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,446 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,614 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,338
2025 BLS Actual
$98,846
2026 Current Est.
$101,446
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Sitka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,338 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,309 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,162 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,846 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,114 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sitka metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $85,338 (2019) to $98,846 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,776 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sitka 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 2.63% 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) | $74,779 – $83,424 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,424 – $101,446 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,446 – $126,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,470 – $153,624 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Sitka
Despite the favorable median compensation, the local job market reveals that only five civil engineers are currently employed in Sitka, creating a unique dynamic. The Cost of Living Index stands at 106.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the expenses associated with living in the area may impact take-home earnings. Firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer better salaries compared to smaller engineering establishments or public sector roles. Factors such as the degree of specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, the attainment of PE licensing, and the choice between private sector opportunities versus government positions play a significant role in determining salary levels. For civil engineers in Sitka, maximizing pay may involve focusing on gaining licensure, seeking positions within larger firms to access better pay scales, and engaging in continuous professional development to align with high-demand specializations influenced by ongoing infrastructure investments from initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Sitka, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
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 $98,846 for civil engineersin the Sitka metropolitan area. A 2.63% 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
Salary data for Sitka is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov