AlaskaOvertime Rules & Laws (2026)
Last updated: 2026-03-27
Summary: Alaska has its own overtime law that is stricter than federal FLSA. Overtime required after 40 hours per workweek at 1.5x regular rate. Daily overtime required after 8 hours per day. Salary exemption threshold: $1,120/week ($58,240/year).
What are the overtime rules in Alaska?
| Weekly Threshold | 40 hours |
|---|---|
| Daily Overtime? | YesAfter 8 hours per day |
| Overtime Rate | 1.5x regular rate |
| Follows FLSA? | State lawStricter than federal FLSA |
How does Alaska differ from federal overtime rules?
Alaska requires overtime after 8 hours in a day AND after 40 hours in a week — whichever calculation gives the employee more pay. This is stricter than federal FLSA which only has weekly overtime. No double-time requirement.
How to Calculate Overtime in Alaska
Example 1: Employee works 10 hours in one day at $20/hr (daily overtime)
8 x $20.00 = $160.00 (straight time) + 2 x $30.00 = $60.00 (daily OT at 1.5x)
Total pay: $220.00
Example 2: Employee works 45 hours in a week, no day exceeding 8 hours
40 x $20.00 = $800.00 (straight time) + 5 x $30.00 = $150.00 (weekly OT at 1.5x)
Total pay: $950.00
Example 3: Employee works 9 hours/day for 5 days (45 hours, both daily and weekly OT)
Daily OT: 5 days x 1 hr x $27.00 = $135.00; Weekly OT: 5 hrs x $27.00 = $135.00. Employer pays whichever is greater (same here). 40 x $18.00 + $135.00
Total pay: $855.00
Calculate Your Overtime Pay
Enter your details below to see a breakdown of regular, overtime, and total pay.
Alaska requires daily overtime after 8 hours per day. Enter today's hours for a daily breakdown, or leave blank for weekly-only calculation.
This assumes a non-exempt hourly employee. Exempt employees are not entitled to overtime. This calculator provides estimates only — actual pay may vary based on shift differentials, piece rates, bonuses, or other factors. Not legal or payroll advice.
What Counts as "Hours Worked" in Alaska?
Under Alaska law, the following time must be counted as hours worked for overtime purposes:
- •All time an employee is required to be on the employer's premises or at a prescribed workplace
- •On-call time when the employee must remain at or near the worksite and cannot use time freely
- •Travel time during the workday between job sites (not normal commuting)
- •Mandatory training, meetings, and lectures
- •Meal breaks shorter than 30 minutes or where employee is not relieved of duties
- •Time spent donning/doffing required protective gear integral to job duties
- •Standby or waiting time if under employer control
Who is Exempt from Overtime in Alaska?
| Salary Threshold | $1,120/week ($58,240/year) — Alaska minimum effective July 1, 2026 (2x state minimum wage), above federal level |
|---|---|
| Exempt Categories | Executive, administrative, professional (follows FLSA exemptions with some state-specific differences) |
| Industry Exemptions | Agriculture, fishing, and certain seasonal amusement or recreational establishments |
Overtime Exemption Categories Explained
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Executive | Salary $1,120+/week ($58,240/year as of July 2026); manages enterprise or department; directs 2+ employees; hire/fire authority |
| Administrative | Salary $1,120+/week; office/non-manual work related to management or business operations; exercises discretion and independent judgment |
| Professional | Salary $1,120+/week; advanced knowledge in science or learning requiring prolonged study; or creative work requiring invention/imagination |
| Computer Employee | Salary $1,120+/week or $27.63+/hr (federal floor); systems analyst, programmer, software engineer |
| Outside Sales | No salary requirement; primary duty is making sales away from employer's place of business |
Must I Pay Unauthorized Overtime in Alaska?
Yes — you must pay for all overtime worked, even if unauthorized.
Alaska employers must pay for all hours worked, including unauthorized overtime. Under Alaska's Wage and Hour Act, the obligation to pay arises when the employer suffers or permits the work. Employers may discipline employees for policy violations but cannot refuse to pay for hours actually worked.
Common Overtime Violations to Avoid in Alaska
These are the most common overtime mistakes employers make in Alaska. Avoiding them protects your business from costly lawsuits and penalties.
- 1.Failing to calculate daily overtime separately from weekly overtime (Alaska requires both)
- 2.Misclassifying employees as exempt without meeting both the salary and duties tests
- 3.Not paying overtime to fishing and agricultural workers who do not actually qualify for the narrow exemptions
- 4.Requiring off-the-clock work before or after shifts
- 5.Averaging hours across multiple workweeks instead of calculating per-workweek
- 6.Ignoring the daily 8-hour threshold by only tracking weekly totals
Penalties for Overtime Violations in Alaska
Alaska employers who fail to pay overtime face liability for back wages plus liquidated damages equal to the unpaid amount (effectively double back pay). Under AS 23.10, the Alaska Department of Labor may investigate complaints and order payment. Employers may also face civil penalties. Federal FLSA penalties also apply concurrently where applicable.
What Alaska Employers Need to Know
- •Alaska requires daily overtime after 8 hours — one of only a few states with this rule
- •Both daily and weekly overtime apply; the employee receives whichever is greater
- •Overtime rate is 1.5x the regular rate of pay
- •Agricultural and fishing workers have limited overtime exemptions
- •Alaska's minimum wage ($11.73/hr in 2026) is above the federal minimum
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alaska require daily overtime?
Yes. Alaska requires overtime pay at 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked beyond 8 in a single day, in addition to weekly overtime after 40 hours.
How does Alaska calculate overtime if both daily and weekly apply?
The employer must calculate overtime both ways (daily over 8, weekly over 40) and pay whichever method results in more compensation for the employee. Hours already counted as daily overtime are not double-counted toward weekly overtime.
Official Alaska Resources
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This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change — always verify with the official state agency or a qualified employment attorney. Sources: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, U.S. Department of Labor.