Restaurant Workers' Comp in Alaska
What Alaska requires of restaurants and bars for workers' compensation — when it kicks in, who's exempt, and what it costs.
Reviewed by J. Robert Smith, Licensed Insurance Agent (NPN 10378680). Last updated .
Yes. Alaska mandates workers'-compensation coverage for every employer with one or more employees, so any restaurant hiring even a single part-time worker must carry it. There is no small-employer exemption. Sole proprietors, partners, and qualifying LLC members and corporate officers may exclude themselves, but must still cover all regular employees. Enforcement and penalties are notably strict.
- Required?
- Yes
- Kicks in at
- 1 or more employees; no minimum-employee exemption. Coverage or approved self-insurance is required.
- Restaurant rate
- NCCI 9082 (restaurants) approx. $2.00–$2.90 per $100 payroll; 9083 (fast food) approx. $2.20–$3.10. Elevated tier reflecting Alaska's high benefit costs. Approximate, industry tier.
- Market
- Competitive private market with no state fund; coverage is available from commercial carriers or Alaska's NCCI-administered Assigned Risk Pool.
Is workers’ comp required for a restaurant in Alaska?
Alaska requires workers' compensation once you reach 1 or more employees; no minimum-employee exemption. Coverage or approved self-insurance is required.. Effective August 1, 2019, sole proprietors, partners, LLC members with at least 10% ownership, and for-profit corporate officers with at least 10% ownership may exclude themselves. Certain work is exempt regardless of business type (part-time babysitters, non-commercial cleaners, amateur sports officials, commercial fishers, TNC drivers). All regular employees, including family, must still be covered.
What restaurant workers’ comp costs in Alaska
The restaurant class-code rate in Alaska is NCCI 9082 (restaurants) approx. $2.00–$2.90 per $100 payroll; 9083 (fast food) approx. $2.20–$3.10. Elevated tier reflecting Alaska's high benefit costs. Approximate, industry tier.. Your premium is that rate applied per $100 of payroll and adjusted by your experience modifier, so it scales with how many people you employ and your claims history. Competitive private market with no state fund; coverage is available from commercial carriers or Alaska's NCCI-administered Assigned Risk Pool.
What owners in Alaska miss
- Alaska requires coverage from the very first employee, with no small-business grace threshold.
- Owner/officer exemptions require a minimum 10% ownership stake (effective Aug 1, 2019).
- Non-compliance penalties can reach up to $1,000 per employee per day, making Alaska one of the strictest enforcement states.
- Alaska generally pays among the nation's higher workers'-comp benefit levels, elevating premiums.
Sources
- Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Workers' Compensation Requirements for Employerprimaryretrieved 2026-07-27
- Insureon: Alaska Workers' Compensation Insurance for Small Businessindustryretrieved 2026-07-27
Cost examples are illustrative national figures gathered from public filings and industry surveys. They are not quotes. Your actual premium depends on your state, carrier, revenue, payroll, location, and coverage selections. Restaurant Insurance Authority is an insurance marketing and referral service, not an insurer or licensed agency. We connect business owners with licensed independent commercial-lines agents who specialize in food and beverage. Questions? Call (855) 480-1410.
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