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Physical Therapist Assistant in Alaska: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Alaska employs 110 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $77,640 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alaska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Alaska (May 2025)

Alaska median pay: $77,640 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $65,640
Experienced (75th percentile): $80,770
Top earners (90th percentile): $87,850
Employed in Alaska: 110
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Anchorage: $77,570 (80 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 $77,640 median is worth closer to $75,820 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Alaska (2024–2034)

Alaska is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +9.3%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Alaska License and Certification Requirements

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

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply to the Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy.

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

Training in Alaska

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alaska include:

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

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Alaska

Real Alaska outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist 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: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Alaska?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Alaska is $77,640 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,640, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $87,850. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Alaska?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Alaska Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy (DCCED). Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Alaska?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Alaska metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Alaska metro areas, Anchorage leads at $77,570. 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 a Physical Therapist Assistant in Alaska?

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

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Alaska?

Alaska projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +9.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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 31-2021. 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.