Salaries in College CDP, AK

Here’s the thing about College CDP: it’s not a tech hub, but the software developers here are quietly pulling in the highest salaries. With a population of just 11,730, this place feels more like a large town, yet it’s got a surprising number of six-figure earners. It’s a small city with a big paycheck secret.

Don’t let that near-average Cost of Living Index of 99.4 fool you. It’s basically the US average, but it means your paycheck doesn’t stretch that much further here. A median household income of $76,831 sounds solid, but with a one-bedroom apartment costing $1,242 a month, you’re spending a significant chunk of your take-home just on rent. It’s not a budget-friendly steal, but it’s also not the wallet-drain you’d see in a major coastal city.

Who’s thriving? The data points to a clear mix. The region’s tech sector, likely tied to the nearby university, is the clear winner, with software developers earning a COL-adjusted $127,797. Healthcare and education are the steady bets. Registered nurses and accountants both clear $85,000, and the school district provides solid, if not spectacular, pay for teachers. The construction trades, represented by electricians, are also holding their own. I was honestly a bit surprised to see electrician pay track so closely with teaching salaries here—it suggests a tight local market for skilled trades.

Here’s the honest catch: the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2%, but wages aren’t exactly racing ahead. The average salary, adjusted for cost of living, is $57,248. That’s a respectable figure, but it’s not a growth story. This city works best for remote workers earning a coastal salary or professionals in the handful of high-demand fields listed above. For everyone else, it’s a comfortable, but not luxurious, equilibrium.

The numbers below will show you exactly who is winning and who is just getting by in this small Alaskan city.