Sam Carlson Wiki Bio: Port Protection Star’s Age, Wife, Sons, Net Worth & Life in Alaska

Sam Carlson, affectionately known as “The Engineer” on National Geographic’s Port Protection, is a long-standing resident of the remote Alaskan community. Born on March 24, 1959, in Alaska, Sam spent much of his youth on Prince of Wales Island. Raised in a close-knit homesteading family, he developed a deep respect for the land, sea, and the resourcefulness it takes to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. His early life was shaped by hands-on learning, bush craftsmanship, and the pioneering spirit of his parents, Raymond and Maude Carlson.

Now a seasoned woodsman, Sam continues to expand his horizons—he’s even “taken to reading about quantum physics as a hobby,” as noted by Life Below Zero, using his sharp mind and inventiveness not just for survival, but for self-betterment.

Life in Port Protection

Port Protection, the show Sam stars in, documents life in a rugged coastal outpost on Prince of Wales Island, where a small, off-grid community survives through fishing, hunting, foraging, and mutual aid. Launched in 2015 as a spin-off of Life Below Zero, the series offers a raw and unfiltered look at self-sufficient living in one of the most remote regions of Alaska.

Sam is renowned for his ingenuity and self-reliance. A self-taught inventor, he has constructed much of his homestead using salvaged materials, earning him the nickname “The Engineer.” His skills encompass fishing, trapping, gardening, crafting, welding, soil science, and emergency systems engineering—skills that are not only essential but life-sustaining in the Alaskan wilderness.

He often mentors younger residents on mechanical repairs, welding, and resource gathering, as seen when he helps build a shooting bench and teaches newcomers like Breanna welding basics. Sam believes that survival here means being a jack-of-all-trades—and, ideally, a master of most. “Living out here can be very interesting. You have to wear about 47 different hats,” he once said.

In addition to infrastructure projects like garden bed construction and welding repairs, Sam takes active responsibility in preserving community systems. Together with David Squibb, he helped repair the community fireboat after the tragic fire that took Gary Muehlberger‘s life. Sam and David tackled corrosion removal, engineered flotation using barrels and compressed air, and assessed the pump system—treating the fireboat as a vital lifeline for the community.

Sam is especially passionate about gardening in poor soil. With fresh produce hard to come by, he has become a student of soil composition. To improve the acidic rainforest soil around Port Protection, Sam gathers fine beach sand for tilth, kelp for micronutrients, and limestone to adjust pH. He views the planting of a seed as a connection between past and future, a moment he describes as both spiritual and practical: “It’s like the Alpha and the Omega.”

Sam has also openly reflected on loss, memory, and the passage of time—recurring themes in a place as isolated and unforgiving as Port Protection. In one particularly emotional arc of the series, he visited the site of Gary Muehlberger’s house after the fire. He admitted to missing his old friend and acknowledged Gary’s legacy as one of the “last of the old breed.” Helping bring the community fireboat back to working condition was not only a necessity, but also a tribute to Gary’s life.

That same sense of reverence carried over when Sam added a photo of his late brother, Lowell Carlson, to the community’s memorial wall. Lowell passed away on April 2, 2015. “Things are dying constantly, whether it’s a small animal or a loved one,” Sam said. The wall, filled with the faces of those who helped build Port Protection, now includes his parents and brother—a solemn but grounding reminder of the cycles of life that define remote living.

Personal Life: Wife, Children and Family

Sam Carlson is not just a skilled outdoorsman—he’s also a devoted father and husband. Though his wife has never appeared on camera, multiple local accounts confirm she has long lived with Sam in Port Protection and simply prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Community members have mentioned seeing her wave from their home, and Sam has hinted at her presence during episodes—mentioning he would “hear about breaking his boat” once home and is often seen wearing a wedding ring.

His relationship with his sons, Matt and Kelly, reflects the same values of resilience, independence, and deep family connection. Matt, the elder, lives in Alaska and shares his father’s love for the land. He frequently appears with Sam on Port Protection, demonstrating their bond and shared skills. Kelly, a musician living in Tacoma, Washington, chose a different path but remains emotionally connected to the wilderness that raised him.

In a deeply meaningful reunion in 2022, Sam was reunited with Kelly after nearly seven years apart. The visit wasn’t just a family moment—it was a return to their shared roots, a reconnection with the rhythms of Port Protection. Sam was visibly moved, calling it something that “warmed his heart.” The three Carlsons—Sam, Matt, and Kelly—fished, laughed, and relived childhood memories of boat rides, forest explorations, and building forts.

During the visit, Kelly—now in his early forties—realized he had reached the same age Sam was when raising him. That insight added a profound emotional weight to their reunion. “If you’re not in Alaska, you might as well be on the moon,” Sam noted, capturing the emotional and physical distances that time had created.

Despite their differing lifestyles, the bond between Sam and his sons has endured—nurtured by shared experiences and their deep connection to the Alaskan wilderness. For Sam, each moment spent with his family—whether on the water or around the woodstove—is a reminder of what truly matters.

Health and Recent Updates

In late 2022, Sam experienced a mild heart attack, leading to his evacuation for medical treatment. Fans expressed concern, but updates from his son Matt confirmed that Sam recovered well and returned to his life in Port Protection. As of 2025, Sam still lives in Port Protection, Alaska, where he continues his subsistence lifestyle and remains active in the community.

Net Worth and Income

Sam Carlson’s income stems primarily from his work on Port Protection, supplemented by subsistence fishing and occasional guiding. Based on reality TV rates for long-time cast members, it’s reasonable to estimate that Sam earns around $4,000 to $4,500 per episode. With 65 credited episodes, his total earnings from the series could fall between $250,000 and $300,000 before taxes.

However, Sam’s lifestyle isn’t centered around financial gain. His off-grid way of living—built on self-reliance, bartering, and sustainability—means his expenses are minimal, and his wealth is measured more in resourcefulness than in dollars. Taking everything into account, a grounded estimate of Sam’s net worth would fall between $250,000 and $350,000 as of 2025. Sam isn’t one to measure life in dollar signs. For him, the real wealth lies in self-reliance—the ability to fix what’s broken, grow what’s needed, and live on his own terms.

Sam Carlson Wiki/Bio Facts

Full Name	Sam Carlson
Nickname	The Engineer
Date of Birth	March 24, 1959
Age	66 years old
Birthplace	Alaska
Current Residence	Port Protection, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
Nationality	American
Occupation	TV Personality, Fisherman, Survivalist, Guide
Famous For	Starring on Port Protection
TV Debut	Port Protection (2015–2025)
Episodes Appeared	64+
Parents	Raymond and Maude Carlson
Siblings	Brother: Lowell Carlson (deceased 2015)
Marital Status	Married (wife off-camera)
Children	2 sons – Matt Carlson and Kelly Carlson
Health Update	Survived mild heart attack in 2022
Estimated Net Worth	$250,000 – $350,000 (as of 2025)