Alaska’s Physician Workforce in 2021


  • Abstract

    In 2021 the estimated number of physicians providing direct patient care in Alaska was 1,751, 19% higher than the estimated number practicing in 2014.

    There were an estimated 240 physicians per 100,000 population providing direct patient care in Alaska, including 95 primary care physicians per 100,000 population in 2021.

    The mean age of Alaska’s practicing physicians was 52 years. Women comprised 41% of the state’s physician workforce with 54% of the primary care, including 65% of general pediatricians.

    Compared with urban areas, most rural areas of Alaska had fewer physicians and many rural counties had high percentages of physicians age 55 or older.

    Around 27% of Alaska’s family medicine physician workforce completed a residency in Alaska and 41% completed a residency in one of the WWAMI states: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.


  • Authors:

    Dahal A, Skillman SM

  • Journal/Publisher:

    Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington,

  • Edition:

    Jul 2022.

  • Documents:

    Full Report

  • Citation:

    Dahal A, Skillman SM. Alaska’s Physician Workforce in 2021. Seattle, WA: Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington, July 2022.

  • Related Studies:

    Alaska’s Physician Workforce