Environmental Science Degree Programs in Fairbanks, AK (2026)
Quick answer: The Fairbanks metro employs about 130 environmental scientists and specialists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state environmental agency.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. No general state licence gates environmental science the way the PE does for engineering. Specific activities carry their own state certifications - certain site assessments, asbestos and lead work among them - so the requirement depends on the work rather than the title.
See the Alaska licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state environmental agency.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Earn in Fairbanks
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Fairbanks area earn a median $88,640 per year, above the national median of $82,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Environmental Science Pay in Fairbanks, AK
| Metric | Fairbanks metro | Alaska | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $88,640 | $91,960 | $82,220 |
| 10th percentile | $63,690 | $61,840 | $52,520 |
| 25th percentile | $75,960 | $76,290 | $64,490 |
| 75th percentile | $108,860 | $114,400 | $107,970 |
| 90th percentile | $147,320 | $147,910 | $140,010 |
| Employment | 130 | 860 | 89,250 |
| Location quotient | 6.31 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Fairbanks-College, AK metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Fairbanks median of $88,640 is above the national median of $82,220, and below the Alaska statewide median of $91,960 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 6.31 means environmental scientists and specialists are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Environmental science work follows consulting firms, state and federal agencies, utilities and industrial compliance departments, so regulated industry and agency presence drive the local market
Other Alaska Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $90,960 | 500 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do environmental scientists and specialists make in Fairbanks?
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area is $88,640, above the national median of $82,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many environmental scientists and specialists work in the Fairbanks area?
The Fairbanks-College, AK metro area employs about 130 environmental scientists and specialists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do environmental scientists and specialists in Fairbanks need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. No general state licence gates environmental science the way the PE does for engineering. Specific activities carry their own state certifications - certain site assessments, asbestos and lead work among them - so the requirement depends on the work rather than the title. Confirm current requirements with your state environmental agency.
Can I study environmental science online from Fairbanks?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state environmental agency.
Is Fairbanks a better market than the rest of Alaska?
The Fairbanks metro median is $88,640 against a statewide median of $91,960 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Environmental Science degree programs in Alaska - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Environmental Science programs and how to choose one
- Environmental Scientist career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.