Physician Assistant jobs in Anchorage, AK
Physician Assistants in the Anchorage area earn a median of $65.85 per hour, about $136,960 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $49.30 and $76.86. That ranks 74th of 329 U.S. metro areas for physician assistant pay, and 208th of 301 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 5 hospitals in Anchorage. The free report below lists employers near Anchorage and what they pay.
- $65.85median pay per hour, Anchorage
- $49–$77typical range per hour
- 460physician assistants employed in the metro area
- 105cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Physician Assistant pay in Anchorage, AK
The metro median is in line with the Alaska statewide median of $65.55 per hour. Nationally the median is $64.07 per hour. BLS counts about 460 physician assistants employed in the Anchorage metro area, 2.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 2.58).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $38.89 | $80,890 | 39% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $49.30 | $102,540 | 23% below U.S. median |
| Median | $65.85 | $136,960 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $76.86 | $159,870 | 20% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $89.09 | $185,310 | 39% above U.S. median |
How Anchorage ranks
- 74th of 329 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 208th of 301 after adjusting for local prices
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Anchorage
- Overall prices in Anchorage run 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 10% above the U.S. average (index 109.9).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $65.85 median hour buys what $62.46 buys at the national price level, 3% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Anchorage Physician Assistant pay report
Named employers near Anchorage, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Anchorage paycheck
- Per year: $118,530
- Per month: $9,878
- Alaska has no state income tax on wages.
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Anchorage metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Anchorage
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel physician assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Anchorage
CMS lists 5 hospitals in Anchorage, 0 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of physician assistants.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Alaska Medical Center Anchorage, AK | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Alaska Native Medical Center Anchorage, AK | Acute care | Government and federal | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Alaska Regional Hospital Anchorage, AK | Acute care | For-profit | 1 of 5 | Yes |
| Alaska Psychiatric Institute Anchorage, AK | Psychiatric | Government and federal | Not rated | No |
| North Star Hospital Anchorage, AK | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Anchorage Municipality
HRSA lists 20 active primary care shortage designations that include Anchorage Municipality (1 population-group, 19 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 12 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
License and tax basics in Alaska
Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Alaska requires for your role with the Alaska licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Alaska does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.
Other healthcare roles in Anchorage
Anchorage city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do physician assistants make in Anchorage, AK?
Physician Assistants in the Anchorage metro area have a median pay of $65.85 per hour, about $136,960 a year. The middle half earn between $49.30 and $76.86 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Anchorage a good place for physician assistants once cost of living is counted?
Anchorage ranks 208th of 301 metro areas for physician assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 74th of 329 before adjusting. Overall prices run 5% above the U.S. average.
Where do physician assistants work in Anchorage?
CMS lists 5 hospitals in Anchorage, led by Providence Alaska Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Alaska license to work in Anchorage as a physician assistant?
Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Alaska requires for your role with the Alaska licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Anchorage in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 20 active primary care shortage designations that include Anchorage Municipality. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Anchorage?
The federal per diem benchmark in Anchorage is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place physician assistants in Anchorage?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Anchorage and across Alaska. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Anchorage.
What do employers near Anchorage pay physician assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Physician Assistant roles in Alaska, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your PA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Alaska list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Stanford Children's HealthPALO ALTO, CA · 4 postings$104.30/ hr$94–$115
- Valley Children's HealthcareMadera, CA · 3 postings$103.69/ hr$75–$123
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 4 postings$100.70/ hr$86–$108
- Sharp HealthCareLa Mesa, CA · 3 postings$92.12/ hr$80–$104
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Alaska list
2What they are offering now
426 PA postings with published pay in the US, 356 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open PA roles
Open PA roles near Anchorage, AK, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.