Physical Therapists in Alaska. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Physical Therapists in Alaska earned a median of $108,640 in 2024, about 6% above the US median of $102,556. That gap is real but modest. Alaska's cost of living index sits at 105.6, meaning prices run roughly 5.6% higher than the national baseline. Once you account for that, the purchasing advantage shrinks to well under one percentage point.
The wage spread tells a more interesting story. The bottom 10% of PTs in Alaska earned around $87,080, while the top 10% reached $135,610. That is a $48,530 difference between early-career and high-end earners in the same state. For context, the 90th-percentile figure is about 56% higher than the 10th. Experience, setting, and specialization likely drive most of that range. Outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home health agencies all pay differently, and rural Alaska placements sometimes carry additional compensation.
The field is projected to grow 10.9% in Alaska between 2024 and 2034, which BLS classifies as faster than average. The state employs roughly 600 PTs, so the base is small. Faster-than-average growth on a small base can mean a few dozen additional positions rather than a large hiring wave.
The mean wage of $113,190 runs about $4,550 above the median. A smaller group of higher earners pulls that average up, which suggests the upper end of the distribution is doing most of the work. Readers comparing offers should focus on the percentile closest to their experience level rather than the mean.
Salary distribution
Where Alaska physical therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,500 and $129,760, with a median of $115,280.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Physical Therapists pay by experience level in Alaska
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Alaska over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- 02
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- 03
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- 04
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- 05
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- 06
Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- 07
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- 08
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+10.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Physical Therapists
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Physical Therapists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Alaska with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physical Therapists in Alaska?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physical Therapists in Alaska is $115,280.
- How does Alaska compare to the national median for Physical Therapists?
- The Alaska median is +10.3% versus the BLS national figure of $104,506.
- What is the salary range for Physical Therapists in Alaska?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $97,950 and the 90th-percentile at $133,690, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physical Therapists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 10.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physical Therapists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.