Overtime Calculator
Calculate overtime pay instantly. Free overtime calculator for hourly employees — regular pay, OT pay, and total earnings breakdown.
The employee's base hourly pay rate before any overtime multiplier.
$
Standard hours per pay period before overtime kicks in. Typically 40 hours/week under FLSA.
Number of hours worked beyond regular hours that qualify for overtime pay.
The overtime pay multiplier. 1.5x = time and a half (most common), 2x = double time, or set a custom value.
Ready to calculate
Enter your hourly rate and overtime hours above to see your pay breakdown.
How to Use This Overtime Calculator
- Enter your hourly rate — your base pay before any overtime multiplier is applied.
- Set regular hours — the standard hours in your pay period (defaults to 40 hours/week, the FLSA standard).
- Enter overtime hours — the number of hours worked beyond regular hours.
- Choose your OT multiplier:
- 1.5x — Time and a half (federal minimum for most workers)
- 2x — Double time (California 12+ hrs/day, holidays, union contracts)
- Custom — Enter any multiplier for special arrangements
- See your results instantly — regular pay, overtime pay, total pay, and your effective hourly rate.
The calculator auto-updates as you type, so you can quickly compare different overtime scenarios.
The Formula
Overtime Pay Calculation:
Regular Pay = Hourly Rate x Regular Hours
Overtime Pay = Hourly Rate x OT Multiplier x Overtime Hours
Total Pay = Regular Pay + Overtime Pay
Effective Hourly Rate = Total Pay / (Regular Hours + Overtime Hours)
Example: An employee earns $25/hour and works 50 hours in a week (40 regular + 10 overtime at 1.5x):
- Regular Pay: $25 x 40 = $1,000
- Overtime Pay: $25 x 1.5 x 10 = $375
- Total Pay: $1,000 + $375 = $1,375
- Effective Hourly Rate: $1,375 / 50 = $27.50/hr
Understanding Overtime Laws
- Federal (FLSA): Non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5x their regular rate for hours over 40/week. There is no federal requirement for daily overtime or double time.
- California: Daily overtime after 8 hours (1.5x), double time after 12 hours. Weekly overtime after 40 hours. Seventh consecutive day: first 8 hours at 1.5x, after 8 hours at 2x.
- Alaska: Overtime after 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week at 1.5x.
- Colorado: Overtime after 40 hours/week or 12 hours/day at 1.5x.
- Union contracts often include premium rates for weekends, holidays, or shift differentials beyond what the law requires.
Always verify with your state labor department — state laws can provide greater protections than federal law, and the more employee-friendly law applies.
Overtime Rates by Scenario
| Scenario | Multiplier | Example at $20/hr |
|---|---|---|
| Standard overtime (FLSA) | 1.5x | $30/hr |
| California daily (over 12 hrs) | 2x | $40/hr |
| Holiday pay (common) | 1.5x or 2x | $30–$40/hr |
| Union premium weekend | 1.5x–2x | $30–$40/hr |
| Seventh consecutive day (CA, first 8 hrs) | 1.5x | $30/hr |
| Seventh consecutive day (CA, after 8 hrs) | 2x | $40/hr |
Tips for Employers and Employees
- Track hours accurately — the FLSA requires employers to keep records of hours worked. Use a time clock or timesheet system.
- Know your exemption status — misclassifying employees as exempt is one of the most common wage violations. When in doubt, consult an employment attorney.
- Calculate weekly, not bi-weekly — overtime is computed on a workweek basis, not across a pay period. Working 30 hours one week and 50 the next still means 10 hours of overtime in week two.
- Include all compensation — the regular rate for overtime purposes may include non-discretionary bonuses, shift differentials, and certain commissions.
- Budget for OT costs — if overtime is regular, factor the 50% premium into your labor cost projections to avoid budget surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is overtime pay?
Overtime pay is additional compensation for hours worked beyond the standard workweek. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states and employers offer double time (2x) for specific situations.
What is time and a half?
Time and a half means your hourly rate multiplied by 1.5. If you earn $20/hour, your time-and-a-half rate is $30/hour. This is the minimum overtime rate required by federal law (FLSA) for non-exempt employees working more than 40 hours per week.
Who is exempt from overtime under the FLSA?
The FLSA exempts certain employees from overtime requirements, primarily executive, administrative, and professional employees who earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) on a salary basis. Outside sales employees and certain computer professionals may also be exempt. Hourly employees are almost always non-exempt and entitled to overtime.
What is double time pay?
Double time means your hourly rate multiplied by 2. For example, if your base pay is $25/hour, your double time rate is $50/hour. Double time is not required by federal law but is mandated in some states (like California for hours over 12 in a day) and is common in union contracts and holiday work.
Does overtime apply to salaried employees?
It depends. Salaried employees who earn below the FLSA salary threshold ($35,568/year) or whose job duties do not meet the executive, administrative, or professional exemption tests are non-exempt and must receive overtime. Being paid a salary alone does not make you exempt from overtime.
How is overtime calculated for weekly vs. daily overtime?
Federal law (FLSA) calculates overtime on a weekly basis — hours over 40 per workweek. Some states like California also require daily overtime: 1.5x for hours over 8 in a day and 2x for hours over 12. Use this calculator for either scenario by entering the appropriate hours and multiplier.
What is the effective hourly rate?
The effective hourly rate is your total pay (regular + overtime) divided by total hours worked. It shows what you actually earned per hour on average. For example, if you work 40 regular hours and 10 overtime hours at 1.5x with a $20 base rate, your effective rate is ($800 + $300) / 50 = $22/hour.
Do all states follow the federal 40-hour overtime threshold?
No. While the federal FLSA uses 40 hours/week, some states have stricter rules. California requires daily overtime after 8 hours. Alaska triggers overtime after 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week. Some states have no state overtime law and follow federal rules only. Always check your state labor department for specific requirements.
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