๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 99 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Badger CDP, AK

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$56,904
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$57,248
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$127,030
1BR Rent
$1,242
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Badger CDP: you might not have heard of it, but its median income is nearly $20,000 above the U.S. average. For a town of just 19,000 people tucked away in Alaska, thatโ€™s a serious economic punch.

The cost of living index at 99.4 is essentially dead-on the national averageโ€”a rarity for Alaska. That means your $98,000 median household income buys you almost exactly what it would most places, with one big exception: rent. A one-bedroom still runs you $1,242 a month, which feels steep for a community this size. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not the wallet-crushing sticker shock you see in Anchorage or Juneau, either.

This isnโ€™t a tourism town. The economy here runs on the nuts and bolts of keeping Alaska functioning. Think construction, logistics, and professional services that support the larger regional economy. Wages are solid, and with a 4.2% unemployment rate, people are working. The catch? The workforce is pretty specialized. Only about one in four residents has a bachelorโ€™s degree, but the top earnersโ€”software developers pulling over $127,000โ€”show thereโ€™s a demand for high-tech talent that can handle the remote work lifestyle.

My honest take? The math here is surprisingly balanced. Wages have kept pace with costs, making it a financially stable choice for skilled trades and professionals. But for someone in a lower-paid field, itโ€™s just as tight as anywhere else. Itโ€™s a place that rewards specific skills, not just warm bodies.

What follows is a detailed breakdown of who earns what, and how far those dollars actually go in Badger CDP.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Badger CDP

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,030
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $127,797
โฑ Hourly $61.07/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -0% vs national

Accountant

$85,925
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $86,444
โฑ Hourly $41.31/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -0% vs national

Registered Nurse

$85,915
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $86,434
โฑ Hourly $41.31/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -0% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,555
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $63,939
โฑ Hourly $30.56/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -0% vs national

Electrician

$61,439
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,810
โฑ Hourly $29.54/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Badger CDP

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (99/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $127,030
2 Accountant $85,925
3 Registered Nurse $85,915
4 Elementary School Teacher $63,555
5 Electrician $61,439
6 Real Estate Agent $61,369
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,994
8 Paralegal $49,910
9 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,910
10 Welder $49,910
11 HVAC Technician $49,910
12 Project Manager $49,910
13 Graphic Designer $49,910
14 Data Analyst $49,910
15 Plumber $49,910
16 Physical Therapist $49,910
17 Carpenter $49,910
18 Human Resources Specialist $49,910
19 Financial Analyst $49,910
20 Pharmacist $49,910
21 Police Officer $49,910
22 Firefighter $49,910
23 Construction Manager $49,910
24 Dental Hygienist $49,910
25 Web Developer $49,910
26 Marketing Manager $49,910
27 Medical Assistant $49,910

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Badger CDP

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,242/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,552/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$291,600
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$98,042
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
26%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
99
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Badger CDP?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Badger CDP. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Badger CDP Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Badger CDP, AK?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Badger CDP is $56,904. This is below the median household income of $98,042, indicating a wide income distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Badger CDP?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $127,030. This is more than double the average salary of $56,904, highlighting a significant premium for tech skills.

Is Badger CDP affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $127,030 is highly affordable in Badger CDP. The cost of living index is 99.4, slightly below the national average, and 1BR rent is $1,242/month, which is about 12% of the gross salary.

How does Badger CDP's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Badger CDP's COL index of 99.4 means your paycheck has nearly the same purchasing power as the national average. With 1BR rent at $1,242/month, a $56,904 salary leaves about $3,942/month after rent for other expenses.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Badger CDP?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary is around $75,000, which is 32% above the average salary. This covers estimated monthly costs of ~$3,500 (including $1,242 rent) while allowing for savings and discretionary spending.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Badger CDP Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Badger CDP isnโ€™t a gold rush, but itโ€™s a solid bet if you play your cards right. With an average salary of $56,904 and a cost of living index just shy of the national average (99.4), youโ€™re not getting rich quick, but youโ€™re not bleeding cash either. Rent at $1,242/month is manageable, especially compared to bigger cities. The clear winner here? Tech workersโ€”specifically Software Developers, who pull in $127,030 (or $127,797 adjusted for COL). Healthcare and trades folks can do okay, but tech is where the moneyโ€™s at. If youโ€™re in tech and craving a change of pace without sacrificing your paycheck, Badger CDP is worth a look. My advice? If youโ€™re considering the move, secure a remote or local tech job first. Donโ€™t bank on finding one after you get hereโ€”the marketโ€™s tight, and you donโ€™t want to end up stuck in a lower-paying gig. Bottom line: Itโ€™s not a bad place to build wealth if youโ€™re in the right field, but itโ€™s not for everyone.

Explore Badger CDP Further