Cost to hire an employee in Alaska
On top of a $50,000 salary, a Alaska employer pays roughly $4,947 in payroll taxes and insurance before benefits, about 9.9% of wages.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: labor.alaska.gov, taxnews.ey.com, oregon.gov.
What a Alaska employer pays
| Cost | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% net | First $7,000 |
| Alaska unemployment (SUTA) | 1% new employer 1%–5.4% experienced | First $54,200 |
| Workers' compensation | ~$1.16 per $100 | Varies by job class |
Total cost at different salaries
| Salary | Employer taxes & insurance | % of salary | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $3,476 | 9.9% | $38,476 |
| $50,000 | $4,947 | 9.9% | $54,947 |
| $75,000 | $7,192 | 9.6% | $82,192 |
| $100,000 | $9,394 | 9.4% | $109,394 |
| $150,000 | $13,799 | 9.2% | $163,799 |
Benefits usually cost more than taxes. The BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation survey puts benefits at roughly 30% of total compensation in private industry. Add your health plan cost in the calculator to include it.
Alaska vs. neighboring states
| State | SUTA wage base | New-employer rate | Cost on $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $54,200 | 1% | $4,947 |
| Washington | $78,200 | 1.25% | $5,328 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to hire an employee in Alaska?
- On a $50,000 salary, employer payroll taxes and insurance add about $4,947 (9.9%), before benefits, for a total of $54,947.
- What is the Alaska SUTA rate for new employers?
- New employers generally pay 1% on the first $54,200 of each employee's wages. Experienced employers pay between 1% and 5.4%.
- Do Alaska employers pay FUTA?
- Yes. Employers pay 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, reduced to 0.6% with the state unemployment credit.