Overtime Calculator
Calculate overtime pay for federal weekly overtime (FLSA) or California daily overtime rules. Enter your hourly rate and hours worked to see your total gross pay.
Calculate overtime based on total weekly hours exceeding the threshold (default 40 hours under FLSA).
Regular Hours
40
$1,000.00
Overtime Hours (1.5x)
5
$187.50
Total Gross Pay
$1,187.50
45 total hours at $25.00/hr
5 overtime hours at $37.50/hr (1.5x rate)
How Overtime Pay Is Calculated
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
The FLSA Overtime Formula
Regular Pay = Regular Hours x Hourly Rate
Overtime Pay = Overtime Hours x (Hourly Rate x 1.5)
Total Gross Pay = Regular Pay + Overtime Pay
Example: An employee earning $20/hr who works 48 hours in a week earns $800 regular pay (40 x $20) + $240 overtime pay (8 x $30) = $1,040 total.
In California, overtime rules are stricter. Employees earn 1.5x pay for hours over 8 in a single day and 2x pay (double-time) for hours over 12 in a day. California also applies weekly overtime for total hours exceeding 40. Learn more in our guide to overtime pay laws across US states.
Federal vs State Overtime Rules
The FLSA sets the federal baseline, but many states have additional overtime rules. When federal and state laws differ, the rule that benefits the employee more applies.
| Jurisdiction | Overtime Trigger | Rate | Double-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal (FLSA) | Over 40 hrs/week | 1.5x | None |
| California | Over 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week | 1.5x | Over 12 hrs/day (2x) |
| Alaska | Over 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week | 1.5x | None |
| Colorado | Over 12 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week | 1.5x | None |
| Nevada | Over 8 hrs/day (if rate < 1.5x min wage) | 1.5x | None |
Check your state's specific rules in our compliance guides.
Who Is Eligible for Overtime?
Not all employees qualify for overtime pay. The FLSA divides workers into exempt and non-exempt categories based on their salary level, payment method, and job duties.
Non-Exempt (Eligible for OT)
- Hourly employees
- Salaried employees below salary threshold
- Workers without executive, administrative, or professional duties
Exempt (Not Eligible for OT)
- Salaried employees above threshold
- Executive, administrative, or professional roles
- Outside sales employees and certain computer professionals
Not sure if an employee is exempt? Use our FLSA Exemption Guide Flowchart to determine their classification.
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FLSA Overtime Compliance
Failing to pay overtime correctly is one of the most common FLSA violations. Employers who misclassify employees or fail to track hours accurately face significant penalties, including back pay, liquidated damages, and legal fees.
Track all hours worked
The FLSA requires employers to maintain accurate records of hours worked for all non-exempt employees. Manual timesheets are error-prone — automatic time tracking reduces compliance risk.
Classify employees correctly
Misclassifying a non-exempt employee as exempt to avoid overtime is a common and costly mistake. Review classifications annually using DOL guidelines.
Pay overtime promptly
Overtime must be paid in the same pay period it was earned. Delaying overtime payments or rolling them into future periods violates the FLSA.
Read our complete guide to FLSA overtime compliance for detailed rules, exemptions, and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is overtime calculated for hourly employees?
Under the FLSA, overtime is calculated at 1.5 times the employee's regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. For example, if you earn $20/hr and work 45 hours, you receive $20/hr for the first 40 hours and $30/hr (1.5x) for the remaining 5 hours.
What is the difference between weekly and daily overtime?
Federal (FLSA) overtime is calculated on a weekly basis — hours over 40 per week trigger overtime. Some states like California also calculate overtime on a daily basis — hours over 8 in a single day trigger overtime, and hours over 12 trigger double-time (2x) pay.
Are salaried employees eligible for overtime?
It depends. Salaried employees who earn below the FLSA salary threshold and do not perform exempt duties (executive, administrative, professional) are still entitled to overtime. The exemption requires both a minimum salary level and specific job duties.
Can an employer refuse to pay overtime?
No. If an employee is non-exempt under the FLSA, the employer must pay overtime for hours over 40 per week, regardless of whether the overtime was authorized. Employers can discipline employees for working unauthorized overtime, but they still must pay for the hours worked.
How does overtime work for employees with multiple pay rates?
When an employee works at different pay rates during the same workweek, overtime is typically calculated using the weighted average of all rates. The weighted average is the total straight-time pay divided by total hours worked, and overtime is paid at 1.5x this blended rate.
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