Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Juneau, AK: $91,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Juneau, AK — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $91,057/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Juneau's price premium (BEA RPP 106.1, 6% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,822 in average-cost America. The 24% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Juneau, Alaska, senior physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a competitive median annual salary of $73,681 in 2026, with opportunities to significantly enhance their earnings through experience and specialization. The highest paid, at the 90th percentile, can achieve figures around $91,057 per year, surpassing the national top tier, which sits at $70,247. This gap illustrates a tangible experience premium, as the difference between the median and the highest earners represents the advanced skills and expertise required to excel in this profession. Achieving top-tier pay in Juneau necessitates not only extensive experience—typically over seven years—but also expertise in specialized areas that demand higher compensation.
Opportunities for premium salaries in Juneau are amplified by specializations such as orthopedic therapy, geriatric rehabilitation, and pediatric care. Different employment settings for senior physical therapist assistants also reflect varying compensation levels; while hospital inpatient rehab tends to offer more competitive wages, outpatient clinics may have differing structures based on patient volume and focus. Career advancement is realistic within this profession, with pathways leading to roles like lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor, as well as opportunities for continued education through PTA-to-DPT bridge programs. Advanced credentials and licenses play a crucial role in escalating pay in Alaska, including completion of a CAPTE-accredited program and obtaining relevant state licenses. However, it’s essential to consider non-salary factors as well, as settings impacted by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut may hinder potential earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient environments, thereby influencing overall compensation strategies in this field.
About the Juneau Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Juneau
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Juneau earn between $82,296 and $91,057 per year (2026 est.). This $40,975 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Juneau median of $73,681 sits 4.89% above the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Juneau | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $73,681 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,296 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $91,057 | $91,954 |
In Juneau, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 23.58% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Juneau
Advanced Certifications in Alaska
AK physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $73,681 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Juneau employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Juneau command premium compensation, often reaching the $82,296–$91,057 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Juneau metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Juneau with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Alaska who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Juneau
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedJuneau ranks #2 of 5 Alaska cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $91,057).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Juneau ($91,057) is 1.22% above the Alaska average P90 ($89,963).
2019 BLS Actual
$80,052
2025 BLS Actual
$88,637
2026 Current Est.
$91,057
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Juneau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,052 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,964 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,543 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Juneau saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $80,052 in 2019 to $88,637 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $93,543 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Juneau metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Juneau
In Juneau, Alaska, senior physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a competitive median annual salary of $73,681 in 2026, with opportunities to significantly enhance their earnings through experience and specialization. The highest paid, at the 90th percentile, can achieve figures around $91,057 per year, surpassing the national top tier, which sits at $70,247. This gap illustrates a tangible experience premium, as the difference between the median and the highest earners represents the advanced skills and expertise required to excel in this profession. Achieving top-tier pay in Juneau necessitates not only extensive experience—typically over seven years—but also expertise in specialized areas that demand higher compensation.
Opportunities for premium salaries in Juneau are amplified by specializations such as orthopedic therapy, geriatric rehabilitation, and pediatric care. Different employment settings for senior physical therapist assistants also reflect varying compensation levels; while hospital inpatient rehab tends to offer more competitive wages, outpatient clinics may have differing structures based on patient volume and focus. Career advancement is realistic within this profession, with pathways leading to roles like lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor, as well as opportunities for continued education through PTA-to-DPT bridge programs. Advanced credentials and licenses play a crucial role in escalating pay in Alaska, including completion of a CAPTE-accredited program and obtaining relevant state licenses. However, it’s essential to consider non-salary factors as well, as settings impacted by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut may hinder potential earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient environments, thereby influencing overall compensation strategies in this field.
More salary data for Juneau, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Juneau in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Juneau?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Juneau?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Juneau?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Juneau?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Alaska
Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $88,637 for physical therapist assistants in the Juneau metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Juneau is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov