# Labor Rights in Alaska

[Labor rights by state](/labor-rights/)

Alaska has become notably worker-friendly in recent years: voters raised the minimum wage to $14.00 (heading to $15.00 in 2027) with no tip credit, added daily overtime after 8 hours, and created a statewide paid sick leave program (up to 40 or 56 hours a year depending on employer size). There is no state paid family leave, no adult meal or rest break mandate, and no right-to-work law.

Data last verified 2026-10-12

## Workplace rights in Alaska at a glance

  Minimum wage (2026)$14.00, effective July 1, 2026. Set by 2024 Ballot Measure 1: $13.00 effective July 1, 2025, $14.00 on July 1, 2026, $15.00 on July 1, 2027, then indexed annually to inflation.Tipped minimum wage (2026)$14.00. Alaska prohibits tip credits entirely. Tipped workers must be paid the full minimum wage before tips.Overtime1.5x after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Alaska is one of the few states with a daily overtime threshold.Paid sick leaveStatewide mandate under 2024 Ballot Measure 1 (effective July 1, 2025): employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked. Employers with 14 or fewer employees may cap accrual and use at 40 hours per year; employers with 15 or more may cap at 56 hours per year. Unused leave carries over.Paid family and medical leaveNo state program. Workers rely on federal FMLA (unpaid) and any employer plan.Meal breaksNo state requirement beyond federal for adult workers. (Separate rules apply to minors under 18.)Rest breaksNo state requirement beyond federal for adult workers.Right-to-work lawNoAt-will employmentAlaska is an at-will employment state. Recognized exceptions: implied contract, public policy, and covenant of good faith and fair dealing.Final paycheckFired: within 3 working days of termination. Quit: by the next regularly scheduled payday (Alaska Statute 23.05.140).

## How Alaska compares to federal law

Alaska sets a minimum wage above the federal floor of $7.25 an hour, so the state rate is what most employers must pay. Unlike most states, Alaska also requires daily overtime pay, which goes beyond the federal rule of time-and-a-half after 40 hours a week.

## Neighboring states

- [**Washington**$17.13 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/washington/)
- [**Oregon**$15.55 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/oregon/)
- [**California**$16.90 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/california/)

[Compare all 50 states and DC side by side](/labor-rights/)

Workplace laws change. This summary reflects state law as verified on 2026-10-12; confirm details with your state labor department before acting on it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why did Alaska's minimum wage change twice in 2026?

It did not; the $14.00 rate took effect July 1, 2026 under Ballot Measure 1, which stepped the wage from $13.00 (July 2025) to $14.00 (July 2026) to $15.00 (July 2027), then annual inflation indexing.

### How much paid sick leave do Alaska workers get?

1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year at employers with 14 or fewer employees and up to 56 hours per year at employers with 15 or more. Unused time carries over.

### Does Alaska have daily overtime?

Yes. Alaska requires overtime at 1.5x after 8 hours in a day, in addition to after 40 hours in a week.

### When do I get my final paycheck in Alaska?

Within 3 working days if you are fired; by the next regular payday if you quit.

### Does Alaska have paid family leave?

No state program. Alaska has no paid family leave law, so workers rely on federal FMLA leave (unpaid) and any employer plan. Note that Alaska's paid sick leave under Ballot Measure 1 is separate: it covers sick time, not family leave.