The largest metro
Alaska’s largest metro area is Anchorage, AK (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates, read October 4, 2026). GSA’s per diem tables cover the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, not Alaska: GSA says: “Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions are set by the Department of Defense.” Source: GSA: Per diem rates, read October 4, 2026. This site does not benchmark Alaska stipends against a contiguous-state rate.
How a stipend relates to these rates
The U.S. General Services Administration says: “We establish the per diem rates that federal agencies use to reimburse their employees for lodging and meals and incidental expenses incurred while on official travel within the continental United States.” Source: GSA: Per diem rates, read September 30, 2026.
The IRS says: “If your allowance is less than or equal to the federal rate, the allowance won’t be included in box 1 of your Form W-2.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
The IRS says: “Generally, your tax home is your regular place of business or post of duty, regardless of where you maintain your family home. It includes the entire city or general area in which your business or work is located.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
More on Alaska: licensing in Alaska, Alaska pay and Alaska contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Does GSA set per diem rates for Alaska?
No. GSA says: “Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions are set by the Department of Defense.” Source: GSA: Per diem rates, read October 4, 2026.
Is a stipend at or below the federal rate reported as wages?
The IRS says: “If your allowance is less than or equal to the federal rate, the allowance won’t be included in box 1 of your Form W-2.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
How long can an assignment last and still be temporary?
The IRS says: “Generally, a temporary assignment in a single location is one that is realistically expected to last (and does in fact last) for 1 year or less.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
To see what a package’s stipends come to, use the stipend calculator. Stipend rates for every state.