How to Find Alaska Minimum Wage Laws

While federal laws set the national standard for a minimum wage, most states have enacted their own minimum wage laws, including Alaska. In fact, Alaska ranks 10th in the highest minimum wage rates in the United States. In addition, the minimum wage in Alaska is higher than the federal rate. Follow these steps to understand the progressive minimum wage laws in this state.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Note that Alaska has some very specific guidelines in place that affect industry-specific occupations (such as fishing and construction). To find out if the minimum wage applies to an occupation in one of these industries, contact the Wage and Hour Administration Offices (see Resources below).
2. Be aware that a construction project with a contract negotiated at $2,000 or more may also be subject to the Little Davis-Bacon Act, depending on the nature of the work and where it takes place. In that event, the highest prevailing wages apply (as well as certain fringe benefits), and the Alaska Department of Labor may require certified payrolls.
3. Understand that those employed as deckhands on fishing boats are exempt from minimum wage status. However, deckhands employed on a fish or floating processor must be paid the minimum standard.
4. Know that Alaska minimum wage laws do not apply to workers in the fishing industry when the work takes place outside the 3-mile limit offshore. Address questions or concerns about working outside of this 3-mile limit to the U.S. Department of Labor or a maritime attorney.
5. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Administration Offices in Alaska (see Resources below) to confirm the prevailing wage for employment classifications or to determine if a construction project is subject to the Little Davis-Bacon Act.

Tips & Warnings

• In Alaska, employers cannot pay a training wage for on-the-job-learning unless the employee is enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program that is approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Therefore, the prevailing minimum wage applies.
• A subcontractor who fails to pay workers the correct prevailing wage may be banned from working on public construction contracts for 3 years, in addition to being fined. Further, the primary contractor may also be subject to the same penalties.