Minimum Wage in Alaska
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Alaska's minimum wage is $11.73 per hour as of 2024, adjusted annually for inflation.
How Alaska treats Minimum Wage
Alaska sets its own minimum wage above the federal level and adjusts it each year based on the cost of living. Employers must pay the higher of Alaska's state minimum or the federal minimum wage. The state's indexed approach means the minimum wage increases automatically unless the legislature votes to freeze it, protecting workers from erosion due to inflation.
The general definition of Minimum Wage
The lowest hourly wage an employer is legally required to pay employees.
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate that employers must pay workers by law. The federal minimum wage in the United States is currently $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have set their own higher minimums. Employers cannot pay workers less than the applicable minimum wage, even if the worker agrees to it. The minimum wage applies to most employees, though some categories (like certain trainees or workers with disabilities) may have exceptions. Violations can result in lawsuits, penalties, and back-pay owed to employees.
Read the full Minimum Wage entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Alaska.