Physical Therapist Salary in Sitka, AK: $103,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Sitka, AK earns a median $103,206/year (≈ $49.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Sitka's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $97,272 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Sitka, Alaska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,206. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and incorporates regional cost adjustments, positioning it slightly below the national median salary of $105,288. The salary for physical therapists in Sitka ranges from approximately $84,198 at the 10th percentile to $126,845 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a competitive market for varying levels of experience and specialization. These compensation figures are shaped by the number of visits therapists are expected to handle daily, influencing effective hourly rates that can impact overall earnings—an important consideration in this profession generally characterized by high productivity demands.
About the Sitka Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,198 | $40.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,749 | $43.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,206 | $49.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,964 | $56.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,845 | $60.98 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sitka
In Sitka, AK, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,647 (2026 est.). At $103,206, the local median is 1.98% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sitka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sitka Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Sitka median: $103,206/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sitka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $111,695 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.98% less |
Physical Therapists in Sitka, AK earn a median of $103,206 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $111,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sitka has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sitka, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,206 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,272 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,671
2025 BLS Actual
$100,728
2026 Current Est.
$103,206
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Sitka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,671 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,729 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,788 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,738 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sitka metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,671 (2019) to $100,728 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,074 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sitka 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,198 – $89,749 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,749 – $103,206 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,206 – $117,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,964 – $126,845 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Sitka
As of now, Sitka employs only five physical therapists, indicating a small yet specialized workforce amid a cost-of-living index of 106.1, which suggests that living expenses are higher than the national average. This local economic factor has significant implications for take-home purchasing power for professionals in the area. Among various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems tend to offer the highest salaries, yet productivity expectations and additional financial incentives such as cash-pay models or board certification stipends can influence pay disparities considerably. Therapists aiming to maximize their earnings in Sitka should focus on improving their productivity levels, considering advanced certifications like OCS or SCS, or exploring travel therapy opportunities that may command premium wages. Understanding these dynamics in the local job market is crucial for those contemplating a physical therapist career in this unique Alaskan city.
More salary data for Sitka, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,728 for physical therapistsin the Sitka metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sitka is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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