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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alaska: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Alaska employs 60 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $53,530 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alaska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Alaska (May 2025)

Alaska median pay: $53,530 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $34,110
Experienced (75th percentile): $71,360
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,900
Employed in Alaska: 60
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Alaska markets:

Anchorage: $49,050 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Alaska

Prices in Alaska run about 2% above the national average (cost-of-living index 102.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $53,530 median is worth closer to $52,275 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Alaska (2024–2034)

Alaska is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +11.8%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Alaska License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy (DCCED).

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply to the Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy.

Official requirements: Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy (DCCED) →

Training in Alaska

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alaska include:

Charter College — Associate
University of Alaska Anchorage — Associate
University of Alaska Fairbanks — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Alaska

Real Alaska outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Frontier Therapy — Anchorage
Program for Infants & Children — Anchorage
Focus, Inc. — Eagle River
Select Physical Therapy — Eagle River
Alaska Centers for Children & Adu — Fairbanks
Select Physical Therapy — Fairbanks

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Alaska?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Alaska is $53,530 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $34,110, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,900. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alaska?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy (DCCED). Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Alaska?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Alaska metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Alaska metro areas, Anchorage leads at $49,050. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Alaska?

Real Alaska options include Charter College, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Alaska?

Alaska projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +11.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alaska statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy (DCCED) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alaska wages · Alaska licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.