Physical Therapist Salary in Alaska: $115,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $115,191/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,568 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fairbanks ($113,570), Anchorage ($112,590), Juneau ($107,783).
Salaries for physical therapists in Alaska are projected to average $115,192 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $105,288, reflecting a 9.4% premium. Fairbanks stands out as the highest-paying city at $116,364, while Sitka offers the lowest at $103,206, resulting in a salary gap of $13,158 between these locations. Factors influencing this range include cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and availability of specialized practices. Alaska has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that must be adhered to, which can impact job opportunities. The demand for physical therapists is driven by a growing population, an aging demographic, and an increased focus on rehabilitation services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.46% in employment opportunities. With a current total of 525 physical therapists employed across the state, cities such as Anchorage and Juneau also present respectable salary figures, at $115,360 and $110,434 respectively. Overall, the job market for physical therapists in Alaska shows promising potential, supported by the state's unique geographical and demographic context.
Alaska Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $81,027 (lowest entry-level) to $137,130 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska physical therapists earn 9.41% more than the national median (+$9,903/year difference).
Alaska Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Alaska range from $98,929 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $135,914 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $115,191. The Alaska median is $9,903 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $55.38/hr. Approximately 525 physical therapists are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$99,037
2025 BLS Actual
$112,426
2026 Current Est.
$115,191
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,558 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,657 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,106 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,426 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,025 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 13.5% from $99,037 (2019) to $112,426 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,025 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,988 (19.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $116,364 | 103.208 | $112,747 |
| Anchorage | $115,360 | 105.42 | $109,429 |
| Juneau | $110,434 | 106.1 | $104,085 |
| Wasilla | $103,273 | 106.1 | $97,336 |
| Sitka | $103,206 | 106.1 | $97,272 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $98,929 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $115,191 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $135,914 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Alaska?
How does Alaska physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Alaska?
How many physical therapists are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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