Alaska Minimum Wage & Labor Laws (2026)
In 2026, the Alaska minimum wage is $14.00/hour. Overtime is required daily (over 8 hrs) and weekly (over 40). Below are the wage, overtime, final-paycheck and break rules, a calculator pre-set to Alaska, and how to file a wage claim if you're owed money.
- Overtime
- Daily over 8 hours and weekly over 40. Alaska requires 1.5× over 8 hours/day and over 40/week (employers with 4+ employees).
- Tipped pay
- $14.00/hr in full. No tip credit: tipped staff must be paid the full minimum in cash, with tips on top.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Within 3 working days of termination. Quit: Next payday at least 3 working days after quitting.
- Meal & rest breaks
- Meal: No state requirement for adults (follows federal). Rest: No state requirement (none mandated).
Alaska pay & overtime calculator
Pre-set to Alaska. Enter your rate and hours.
Your hours
Your pay this week
OT $30.00/hrAlaska follows the FLSA weekly rule: 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
Alaska figures are current for 2026 and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor and Alaska's labor department. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Next change: minimum wage $15.00 on July 1, 2027
Last step of the 2024 ballot measure. Official source. Get a reminder before it starts.
How to file a wage claim in Alaska
To recover unpaid wages in Alaska, file with Alaska Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Administration. Federal law lets you claim up to 2 years of back pay (3 if the violation was willful), plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Agency
- Alaska Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Administration
- Federal window
- 2 years of back pay, or 3 if the violation was willful, plus equal liquidated damages.
- Alaska adds
- Alaska follows the federal framework; confirm any extra state penalties with the agency above.
Step by step
- 1Gather your records
Collect pay stubs, time records, schedules and any texts about hours. In Alaska, your own honest records can carry a claim if the employer's are missing.
- 2Work out what you're owed
The back-pay estimator adds up the unpaid wages and how far back you can recover them.
- 3Send a written demand
Many disputes settle after a dated letter that states the amount owed and the deadline you're giving the employer to pay.
- 4File with Alaska Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Administration
If the employer doesn't pay, file a wage claim with the agency below. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer.
- 5Mind the deadline
Federal claims must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Your state may set a shorter deadline for its own process, so don't wait.
Alaska wage claim questions
Who do I file an unpaid-wage claim with in Alaska?
Alaska Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Administration. You can also file a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. You can also sue in court, often with an employment attorney.
How far back can I recover unpaid wages in Alaska?
Federal law (FLSA) allows 2 years of back pay, or 3 years for a willful violation, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
Can my employer retaliate for filing a wage claim in Alaska?
No. Federal and state law prohibit firing, demoting or punishing you for asserting your right to be paid. Retaliation is a separate violation you can also claim.