JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska’s minimum wage will increase by a dollar an hour, to $9.75, starting Friday.
The state labor department estimates 12,000 jobs in Alaska currently pay less than that.
For those working full-time at minimum wage, the department says the increase will mean about $2,000 in additional annual earnings.
Voters in November 2014 approved increasing the minimum wage from $7.75 an hour. The first increase, to $8.75 an hour, took effect in February. The second increase, to $9.75, takes effect Friday.
The minimum wage is to be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2017 and is to remain at least $1 over the federal minimum wage.
In a release, state labor commissioner Heidi Drygas said the increase is great news for workers who struggle to make ends meet, and long overdue.
