While Alaska’s cost of living might be higher than some places in the lower 48 – it’s harder to transport goods here, after all – there are many financial benefits to working in Alaska. Factor in the positives like a daily overtime pay policy and the absence of state sales or individual income tax, and working in the 49th state can become instantly more attractive. Here are some of our favorite financial benefits of working in Alaska!
Your Next Adventure Starts Here
Search open jobs-
Daily overtime pay
The state of Alaska has a daily overtime pay policy. That means if you exceed eight hours on your workday, the time you work after that will be paid at 1½ times your regular rate. In other states, you’ll often need to work the full 40-hour work week before receiving any overtime pay. Most of our seasonal employees work 5 to 6 days each week, 8 to 10 hours daily. If you get a couple of those 10-hour days each week, your paycheck can look pretty nice.
-
A minimum wage higher than some
The Alaska minimum wage rate is amongst the highest in the country, increasing to $9.80 per hour as of Jan. 1, 2017. While some states like Washington are inching their way toward $15 an hour, Alaska’s rate exceeds most other states including Wyoming and Georgia, each with a $5.15 hourly rate. Alabama and South Carolina don’t have a minimum wage.
-
No state sales tax
Because of revenue from its strong oil and gas industry, the state of Alaska forgoes sales tax. That means anything you purchase here will cost exactly what it says before checkout.
-
That goes for income tax, too
New Hampshire is the only other U.S. state with neither sales nor income tax. Again, the oil and gas subsidies make it possible for Alaska.
-
In fact, Alaska pays you
If you choose to become a permanent Alaska resident, the state will pay you for simply living here. Each year, every Alaska resident can receive money from the oil-funded Permanent Fund Dividend, or PFD, more than $2,000 per person in 2015. You must reside here a full calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31) and intend to make Alaska your permanent home.
-
Free fish
If you do make the leap and become an Alaska resident, you can fish for salmon virtually for free, with location restrictions, take limits and permitting. This “dip netting” practice is a great way to save on groceries and enjoy Alaska’s favorite cuisine at the same time. If you’re an outdoor recreation enthusiast, this is simply a tasty bonus.
-
We’ve got a job for you
Join us for seasonal or permanent jobs in Alaska – each summer, we have dozens of open positions of many types in multiple locations. We employ people of a wide range of age and experience, from young students seeking income before college to retirees seeking a new adventure in life.
-
We’ll even help you get here
Not sure if you can afford the transportation to come here for a seasonal job? We’ll buy you a plane ticket and you can pay us back throughout the summer. For some of our positions, we’ll even pay to fly you here or reimburse you for the ticket. This and other benefits, such as discounts on day excursions and cruises, can help you save on family vacations later on.