Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Fairbanks, AK: $55.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Fairbanks, AK runs $55.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,364 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Fairbanks's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,817 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, the median hourly pay for physical therapists is projected to be $55.94 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $50.62 per hour. This hourly rate presents enticing opportunities for part-time workers, such as those who may work three days a week in various environments like outpatient clinic gyms, hospital rehab units, or even home health visits. For these professionals, earning potential can range significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $46.35, while experienced therapists can command up to $63.13 per hour in certain settings. The official BLS data highlights the competitive nature of physical therapist hourly pay in Fairbanks, reflecting the demand for quality rehabilitation services in a region with a unique cost of living index of 103.208.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.35 | $370.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.91 | $391.32 |
| Median (P50) | $55.94 | $447.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.13 | $505.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.13 | $505.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairbanks
Based on $55.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.94/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairbanks, AK can expect to earn approximately $116,362 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,132. With a cost-of-living index of 103.21 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairbanks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairbanks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,237.73 | $9,697 | $116,362 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,342.64 | $5,818 | $69,817 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $895.09 | $3,879 | $46,545 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Fairbanks) | $55.94 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $116,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.52% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.20% above the Alaska state average of $111,674.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.94/hr = $69,817/year (purchasing power: $67,647).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,362/year (purchasing power: $112,745).
CoL index: 103.208 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Fairbanks grew 28.1% from $42.62/hr (2019) to $54.60/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.32/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Fairbanks
Looking at the annual earnings, a part-time physical therapist working 24 hours a week could anticipate considerably lower annual take-home pay compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, if a therapist opts for per-diem work, they may find themselves billing anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour, while travel PT contracts can significantly boost earnings to $1,800-$2,800 per week, including stipends. Different employer types in Fairbanks, from outpatient orthopedic clinics to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, can also influence hourly rates. Therapists working in private practices may earn less than those in hospital settings but might benefit from productivity bonuses. Some practitioners choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for essential health insurance benefits, highlighting the trade-offs potential employees face. When negotiating, local physical therapists should consider not just the hourly rate but also benefits, contract terms, and workload expectations to arrive at a compensation plan that fits their financial needs and career goals.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Fairbanks in 2026?
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Fairbanks. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov