Answer
Alaska janitorial wages hit $19.48 median hourly, with loaded labor rates of $28 to $38 per hour after workers' comp premiums of $3.00 to $4.50 per $100 payroll and remote-site overhead.
- State minimum wage rises to $14.00 per hour on July 1, 2026 under Alaska Stat. §23.10.065.
- Fairbanks-College MSA leads at $19.27 median hourly; Anchorage sits at $18.66.
- Workers' comp class 9014 rates run $3.00 to $4.50 per $100 payroll in Alaska's NCCI jurisdiction.
$18.77 Median hourly wage (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Commercial cleaning bids in Alaska carry the highest labor costs in the nation. Statewide median hourly wages for janitors sit at $19.48 per hour, with a mean near $19.00 (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 37-2011). The state's minimum wage rises to $14.00 per hour on July 1, 2026 under Alaska Stat. §23.10.065, though market rates already run $4 to $5 above that floor. Loaded labor rates typically land between $28 and $38 per hour once you factor in workers' comp premiums estimated at $3.00 to $4.50 per $100 payroll, recruitment difficulty, and the operational overhead tied to remote service areas.
What employers should plan for
- Floor: $13.00/hr (current as of Jan 1, 2025). Scheduled increase to $14.00/hr on July 1, 2026 under Alaska Stat. §23.10.065.
- Local floors: No Anchorage or Fairbanks city minimum wage ordinance. Employer must track the mid-year increase on July 1, 2026.
- Loaded labor rate: Commercial cleaning bids in Alaska typically run $28–$38/hr total loaded cost, reflecting the high base wage, elevated workers' comp premiums, difficulty recruiting workers, and high general overhead costs for remote operations.
- Workers' comp class 9014 — Alaska NCCI jurisdiction; estimated rate approximately $3.00–$4.50/$100 payroll (Alaska's WC costs are elevated due to remote medical access).
High-wage metros vs. low-wage metros
Fairbanks-College MSA leads at a median $19.27/hr (mean ~$20/hr), likely driven by state government and military facility contracts. Anchorage/Mat-Su comes in at $18.66/hr median — the largest labor market in the state. The nonmetropolitan areas of Alaska present the widest wage range and logistical challenges; travel time and remote-site premiums often push effective labor costs well above BLS survey rates.
Wage percentile distribution (BLS OEWS 2024)
- 10th percentile: $14.15/hr
- 25th percentile: $17.05/hr
- Median (50th): $19.48/hr
- 75th percentile: $22.66/hr
- 90th percentile: $23.88/hr
The 10th percentile at $14.15/hr is still above the current $13.00/hr minimum wage, confirming that market rates dominate in Alaska rather than the statutory floor. The compressed upper end (75th to 90th only $1.22/hr) reflects the ceiling imposed by the cost-sensitivity of institutional buyers.
Union presence
Alaska's private-sector union density runs approximately 7–8%, higher than southern right-to-work states but well below union-dense northeastern markets. SEIU 32BJ does not maintain a presence in Alaska commercial cleaning. Some state facility custodians are represented by AFSCME or Teamster locals in public-sector contracts. Private commercial cleaning in Anchorage is largely non-union.
What this means for bid math
Alaska cleaning contracts carry the highest per-hour labor cost in this batch. Budgeting at 1.85–2.20× the base wage is necessary: a $19.00/hr worker costs approximately $35–$42/hr fully loaded including the state's elevated WC rates, benefits, and higher operational overhead. The July 1, 2026 minimum wage bump to $14.00/hr is primarily academic given market rates well above that floor, but contract re-pricing language tied to minimum wage changes should be avoided in Alaska given the mid-year timing.
Primary sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025 — Alaska
- O*NET Local Wages — Alaska (BLS 2024 data)
- Alaska Department of Labor — Statewide Wages 2025
- Alaska DOL — Anchorage/Mat-Su Area Wages 2024
- Alaska DOL Wage & Hour — Minimum Wage
- Commercial Cleaning Licensing in Alaska →
- OSHA Compliance for Janitorial in Alaska →
- Workers' Comp Class 9014 in Alaska →