Salary comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Fairbanks vs Portland
Portland, OR pays about 4.5% more for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters on paper — $101,010 vs $96,670. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Portland comes out ahead by $4,340 a year in real buying power.
Fairbanks, AK
$96,670
$74,510
$105,380
$46.48
100
$96,670/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Portland, OR
$101,010
$72,440
$128,360
$48.56
100
$101,010/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $4,340 a year (4.5%) in favor of Portland. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Fairbanks runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Portland sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Portland is the better deal by $4,340 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Fairbanks to Portland for this role, the raise needs to beat 4.5% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more, Fairbanks or Portland?
Portland pays $101,010 on median — about 4.5% more than Fairbanks ($96,670). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Portland. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Portland gives you roughly$101,010 of real buying power versus $96,670 in the other city.