According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2014, Alaska was the fourth highest-paying state for physical therapist assistants in the country. That year, physical therapist assistants working here earned an average annual salary of $61,520 and an average hourly wage of $29.58.
In that same year, the United States Department of Labor reported that entry-level physical therapist assistants in Alaska earned an average annual salary of $37,800 and an average hourly wage of $18.18. Moderately experienced physical therapist assistants took home an average annual salary of $60,400 and an average hourly wage of $29.03, while the most experienced PTAs earned an average annual salary of $87,700 and an average hourly wage of $42.17.
Occupational Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants in Alaska
The United States Department of Labor expects the number of physical therapist assistants in Alaska to increase by 25% during the ten-year period from 2012 to 2022. This places physical therapist assistants among Alaska’s top 30 fastest-growing occupations through 2022.
The following employers used job aggregation websites to post job advertisements for physical therapist assistants throughout Alaska in October 2015:
- Providence Health & Services
- Infinity Rehab
- MBS Healthcare
- Central Peninsula Hospital
- InSearch Medical
- Banner Health
- Kenaitze Indian Tribe
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Soliant Health
In general, physical therapist assistants looking for jobs in Alaska will find opportunities in outpatient orthopedic, acute hospital, and skilled nursing settings. In 2015, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development listed several employers with numerous job openings in the state:
- Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation
- Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
- Norton Sound Health Corporation
- Banner Health Inc.
- Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation
- Maniilaq Association
Physical Therapist Assistant Salaries Throughout Alaska
In October 2015, the Department of the Army searched to fill a physical therapist assistant position in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The job offered a salary range of $43,220-$56,182 annually. This pay range reflects the premium placed on experience; the more experience a PTA has, the more valuable they become to their employer, and are compensated accordingly.
Many employers that hire physical therapist assistants in Alaska supplement salary rates with other work benefits. For example, InSearch Medical in Fairbanks, Alaska offers physical therapist assistants that join their team the following benefits:
- Medical and dental insurance
- Life and accident death and dismemberment insurance
- Short and long term disability
- Flexible spending accounts
- 401(k) retirement saving plan
- Life balance and employee assistance program
- Comprehensive sick, holiday, and personal time off
- Bonus program
In May 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that physical therapist assistants working in Anchorage received an average annual salary of $69,250 and an average hourly wage of $33.29. Further pay information for physical therapist assistants in Anchorage is located in the data table below: