Alaska Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work
Alaska employment law: minimum wage, overtime, breaks, final paycheck deadlines, PTO payout, sick leave, at-will exceptions and where to file a wage claim.
Quick answers for Alaska
- Minimum wage
- $14.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. It rises to $15.00 per hour on July 1, 2027, and is adjusted for inflation each year after that. Alaska's minimum wage must stay at least $2.00 above the federal minimum wage. AS 23.10.065(a), (d)
- Final paycheck if fired or laid off
- Within three working days after the termination, regardless of the reason the employer ended the job. AS 23.05.140(b)
- Meal and rest breaks
- No state requirement for adults (18 and over). If an employer does give a break shorter than 20 minutes, it must be paid. Alaska Wage and Hour Employee FAQ
- Unused vacation / PTO payout
- Only if the employer promised it. Payout of unused vacation is governed by the employer's policy or agreement. Alaska Wage and Hour Employee FAQ
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Pay
| Minimum wage | $14.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. It rises to $15.00 per hour on July 1, 2027, and is adjusted for inflation each year after that. Alaska's minimum wage must stay at least $2.00 above the federal minimum wage. Scheduled increase: $15.00 per hour on July 1, 2027; after that, annual inflation adjustments (Anchorage CPI) take effect each January 1. Source: AS 23.10.065(a), (d) |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage | No tip credit. Employers must pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage before tips; tips cannot be counted toward the minimum wage. Source: AS 23.10.065(a) |
| Overtime | Time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a day and after 40 hours in a week (daily overtime hours are not double-counted toward the weekly total). Employers with fewer than four employees in the regular course of business are not covered by the state overtime rule. Source: AS 23.10.060 |
| How often you must be paid | Monthly or semi-monthly pay periods, at the employee's choice, unless the employee and employer agree to monthly pay in an annual initial employment contract. Employers must tell employees in writing at hiring the payday, place of payment and rate of pay. Source: AS 23.05.140(a); AS 23.05.160 |
| Pay stubs | Required. Each pay period, employers must give a written or electronic statement showing the rate of pay, gross wages, net wages, pay period dates, hours worked (straight time and overtime), and deductions. Source: 8 AAC 15.160(h) |
Breaks and leave
| Meal and rest breaks | No state requirement for adults (18 and over). If an employer does give a break shorter than 20 minutes, it must be paid. |
|---|---|
| Paid sick leave | Yes, since July 1, 2025. Employees earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 employees must allow up to 40 hours per year; employers with 15 or more must allow up to 56 hours per year. Unused leave carries over unless the employer front-loads the full yearly amount. Part-time employees are covered; some groups, such as minors working under 30 hours a week, are exempt. |
Leaving a job
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | Within three working days after the termination, regardless of the reason the employer ended the job. A late-paying employer may owe a penalty of the employee's regular wages from the time of demand until payment, up to 90 working days (AS 23.05.140(d)). Source: AS 23.05.140(b) |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | By the next regular payday that is at least three days after the employer receives notice that the employee is quitting. Source: AS 23.05.140(b) |
| Unused vacation / PTO payout | Only if the employer promised it. Payout of unused vacation is governed by the employer's policy or agreement. |
| Unemployment benefits | File with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development online through myAlaska (my.alaska.gov), or call a UI Claim Center Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Anchorage (907) 269-4700, Fairbanks (907) 451-2871, Juneau (907) 465-5552. |
Firing, retaliation and discrimination
| Whistleblower and retaliation protection | State law bars firing or discriminating against an employee for filing a wage-and-hour complaint, starting or testifying in a proceeding, or for asking about, requesting or using paid sick leave. The Alaska Human Rights Law also bars retaliation for opposing discrimination. |
|---|---|
| Job discrimination complaints | Alaska State Commission for Human Rights. The state law covers employers with one or more employees in Alaska (some nonprofit social, fraternal, charitable, educational and religious organizations are excluded). You must contact the Commission within 300 days of the discriminatory act. Complaints can be filed online or by phone at 907-274-4692. |
Where to get help in Alaska
Employment Law FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Alaska?
$14.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. It rises to $15.00 per hour on July 1, 2027, and is adjusted for inflation each year after that. Alaska's minimum wage must stay at least $2.00 above the federal minimum wage.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Alaska?
No tip credit. Employers must pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage before tips; tips cannot be counted toward the minimum wage.
What are the overtime rules in Alaska?
Time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a day and after 40 hours in a week (daily overtime hours are not double-counted toward the weekly total). Employers with fewer than four employees in the regular course of business are not covered by the state overtime rule.
Are breaks required by law in Alaska?
No state requirement for adults (18 and over). If an employer does give a break shorter than 20 minutes, it must be paid.
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Alaska?
Within three working days after the termination, regardless of the reason the employer ended the job.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Alaska?
By the next regular payday that is at least three days after the employer receives notice that the employee is quitting.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Alaska?
Only if the employer promised it. Payout of unused vacation is governed by the employer's policy or agreement.
How often must employees be paid in Alaska?
Monthly or semi-monthly pay periods, at the employee's choice, unless the employee and employer agree to monthly pay in an annual initial employment contract. Employers must tell employees in writing at hiring the payday, place of payment and rate of pay.
Do employers have to give pay stubs in Alaska?
Required. Each pay period, employers must give a written or electronic statement showing the rate of pay, gross wages, net wages, pay period dates, hours worked (straight time and overtime), and deductions.
Is paid sick leave required in Alaska?
Yes, since July 1, 2025. Employees earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 employees must allow up to 40 hours per year; employers with 15 or more must allow up to 56 hours per year. Unused leave carries over unless the employer front-loads the full yearly amount. Part-time employees are covered; some groups, such as minors working under 30 hours a week, are exempt.
Is it illegal to fire someone for reporting a violation in Alaska?
State law bars firing or discriminating against an employee for filing a wage-and-hour complaint, starting or testifying in a proceeding, or for asking about, requesting or using paid sick leave. The Alaska Human Rights Law also bars retaliation for opposing discrimination.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Alaska?
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights. The state law covers employers with one or more employees in Alaska (some nonprofit social, fraternal, charitable, educational and religious organizations are excluded). You must contact the Commission within 300 days of the discriminatory act. Complaints can be filed online or by phone at 907-274-4692.
How do I apply for unemployment in Alaska?
File with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development online through myAlaska (my.alaska.gov), or call a UI Claim Center Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Anchorage (907) 269-4700, Fairbanks (907) 451-2871, Juneau (907) 465-5552.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.