PayByState

Alaska · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Alaska

Median $93,550 · Top 10% earn $127,180+ · Roughly 270 workers in Alaska. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Alaska median
$93,550
$44.98/hr
Top 10%
$127,180
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$65,000
Entry-level range
Real pay
$88,589
CoL-adjusted (RPP 105.6)

Alaska pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $93,550 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power is $10,629 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 270 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Alaska

Alaska's remote-area RT pay premium ($90–110K) competes with California in real terms. Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Native Medical Center are the dominant employers.

Top-paying metros in Alaska

Alaska-area metropolitan areas with the highest respiratory therapist medians.

Alaska metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Anchorage, AK $99,200

Alaska ranks #4 of 50 states

Where Alaska sits in the national distribution for respiratory therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Alaska
#3 District of Columbia $94,330 +$780
#2 Washington $95,110 +$1,560
#1 California $109,140 +$15,590
#4 Alaska (this page) $93,550 —
#5 New York $91,990 −$1,560
#6 Massachusetts $91,990 −$1,560
#7 Nevada $90,430 −$3,120
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Alaska

The typical path is a associate degree + state license; bachelor's preferred for advancement, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $9,000 (community college) to $50,000 (private accelerated). On the Alaska median of $93,550, payback periods are typically 0.8 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Respiratory Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Alaska selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Alaska — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Alaska?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Alaska is $93,550 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $65,000; the top 10% earn $127,180 or more. About 270 people work in this role across the state.
How does Alaska respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Alaska's median of $93,550 is $15,590 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Alaska's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 105.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $88,589.
Where does Alaska pay respiratory therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in Alaska include Anchorage at $99,200. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Alaska?
On the data: Alaska employs roughly 270 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $93,550 and the top decile clearing $127,180. The role is projected to grow +13% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for respiratory therapists in Alaska?
At the Alaska median of $93,550 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $44.98/hr. The top 10% earn around $61.14/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.25/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Alaska-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1126: Respiratory Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Alaska's RPP is 105.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.