Online Physical Therapy Degree in Alaska: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Alaska employs about 680 physical therapists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state physical therapy licensing board. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare physical therapy programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Alaska
Every state licenses physical therapists through its own board. The national constants are a CAPTE-accredited degree - CAPTE being the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education - and the National Physical Therapy Examination administered through the FSBPT. Boards add their own requirements around jurisprudence exams, background checks and continuing competence, and rules for licensure by endorsement between states vary.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state physical therapy licensing board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Physical Therapists Earn in Alaska
Physical Therapists in Alaska earn a median $115,280 per year, above the national median of $102,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Physical Therapy Pay and Employment in Alaska at a Glance
| Metric | Alaska | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $115,280 | $102,760 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $97,950 | $77,140 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $101,500 | $86,160 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $129,760 | $121,160 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $133,690 | $135,140 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 680 | 267,330 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.22 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 10.9% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Alaska Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Alaska median of $115,280 sits above the national median of $102,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.22 puts Alaska well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Alaska
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $113,570 | 50 |
| Anchorage | $112,590 | 460 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Physical therapy demand tracks the local mix of outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital systems, skilled nursing facilities and school districts.
All Alaska Metro Areas With Published Data
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Alaska?
The median annual wage for physical therapists in Alaska is $115,280, above the national median of $102,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $101,500 at the 25th percentile to $129,760 at the 75th.
How many physical therapists work in Alaska?
Alaska holds about 680 physical therapist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 267,330, and BLS projects about 13,200 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a physical therapist in Alaska?
Every state licenses physical therapists through its own board. The national constants are a CAPTE-accredited degree - CAPTE being the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education - and the National Physical Therapy Examination administered through the FSBPT. Boards add their own requirements around jurisprudence exams, background checks and continuing competence, and rules for licensure by endorsement between states vary. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state physical therapy licensing board before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy online while working in Alaska?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state physical therapy licensing board.
What is the highest-paying area of Alaska for physical therapists?
Among Alaska metro areas with published data, Fairbanks reports the highest median at $113,570 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Alaska a good state for physical therapists?
On pay, the state median of $115,280 sits above the national $102,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.22 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Physical Therapy programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Physical Therapy Aide career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.