Overtime pay is additional compensation that employees earn when they work beyond the standard 40 hours per week. Understanding how overtime pay is calculated is crucial for workers to ensure fair compensation and for employers to maintain legal compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Federal Overtime Law: The Basics
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that most employees in the United States receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate of at least one and a half times their regular rate of pay. This is commonly known as “time-and-a-half.”
Key Federal Overtime Rules
- Standard workweek: 40 hours (the FLSA does not define a “daily” overtime threshold at the federal level)
- Overtime rate: 1.5x your regular hourly rate (time-and-a-half)
- Double time: Not required by federal law, but many employers offer it for holidays or extended hours
- Eligibility: Most hourly (non-exempt) employees are entitled to overtime; salaried (exempt) employees may not be
How to Calculate Overtime Pay: Step-by-Step
Calculating overtime pay involves a few simple steps. Here’s the formula and a breakdown:
Step 1: Determine Your Regular Rate of Pay
Your regular rate of pay is your hourly wage. If you’re salaried, divide your annual salary by the number of workweeks in a year (typically 52), then divide by the number of hours in a standard workweek (typically 40):
Regular Rate = Annual Salary / 52 weeks / 40 hours
Step 2: Calculate Your Overtime Rate
Multiply your regular rate by 1.5 (time-and-a-half):
Overtime Rate = Regular Rate x 1.5
Step 3: Calculate Your Overtime Earnings
Multiply your overtime rate by the number of overtime hours you worked:
Overtime Earnings = Overtime Rate x Overtime Hours
Step 4: Calculate Your Total Weekly Pay
Add your regular pay and overtime earnings together:
Total Pay = (Regular Rate x Regular Hours) + Overtime Earnings
Overtime Pay Calculation Examples
Let’s walk through some real-world examples to make this crystal clear.
Example 1: Hourly Worker at $20/hour, 45 hours/week
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Pay | $20 x 40 hours | $800.00 |
| Overtime Rate | $20 x 1.5 | $30.00/hour |
| Overtime Pay | $30 x 5 hours | $150.00 |
| Total Weekly Pay | $800 + $150 | $950.00 |
Example 2: Salaried Worker at $60,000/year, 50 hours/week
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Rate | $60,000 / 52 / 40 | $28.85/hour |
| Overtime Rate | $28.85 x 1.5 | $43.27/hour |
| Regular Pay | $28.85 x 40 hours | $1,153.85 |
| Overtime Pay | $43.27 x 10 hours | $432.69 |
| Total Weekly Pay | $1,153.85 + $432.69 | $1,586.54 |
Example 3: $15/hour with 10 hours overtime
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Pay | $15 x 40 hours | $600.00 |
| Overtime Rate | $15 x 1.5 | $22.50/hour |
| Overtime Pay | $22.50 x 10 hours | $225.00 |
| Total Weekly Pay | $600 + $225 | $825.00 |
Common Overtime Pay Myths Debunked
Many workers are unaware of their overtime rights. Here are the most common misconceptions:
Myth 1: Salaried employees never get overtime
False. While many salaried employees are classified as “exempt” from overtime, this only applies to specific job categories (executive, administrative, professional) AND meeting a minimum salary threshold. In 2026, employees earning less than $684/week ($35,568/year) are generally entitled to overtime, regardless of whether they are paid hourly or salary. Some states have higher thresholds.
Myth 2: Overtime is only paid for more than 8 hours in a day
Federal law says no — the FLSA only requires overtime for more than 40 hours in a week, not more than 8 hours in a day. However, some states (like California, Alaska, and others) do require daily overtime after 8 hours.
Myth 3: Comp time can replace overtime pay
Generally no, for private sector employees. Compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay is illegal for most private-sector employers. Only government employees may be eligible for comp time under certain conditions.
States with Overtime Laws Stricter Than Federal Rules
Several states have overtime laws that go beyond the federal FLSA requirements. Here are the key ones to know:
| State | Daily OT Threshold | Weekly OT Threshold | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8 hours/day | 40 hours/week | Double time after 12 hours/day |
| Alaska | 8 hours/day | 40 hours/week | Double time on 7th consecutive day |
| Colorado | 12 hours/day | 40 hours/week | Double time after 12 hours/day |
| Nevada | 8 hours/day | 40 hours/week | Double time on 7th consecutive day |
| New York | Varies by industry | 40 hours/week | Daily OT for some industries |
Double Time Pay: When Does It Apply?
Double time means your overtime rate is twice your regular rate instead of the standard 1.5x. While federal law doesn’t require double time, many employers offer it in specific situations:
- Working on holidays: Some companies pay double time for holiday work
- Extended daily hours: In California, hours beyond 12 in a single day are paid at double time
- 7th consecutive day: In California, Alaska, and Nevada, the 7th day of consecutive work earns double time
- Company policy: Many employers voluntarily offer double time as a benefit
Overtime Pay and Taxes
Overtime pay is taxed the same as regular income — there is no special “overtime tax rate.” However, because overtime increases your total earnings, it can sometimes push you into a higher tax bracket for that pay period, resulting in more tax withheld. Don’t worry — at tax time, your effective tax rate applies to your total annual income, not individual pay periods.
To see how overtime affects your actual take-home pay, use our free Overtime Pay Calculator which automatically factors in federal taxes, state taxes, and FICA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overtime Pay
How much is overtime pay per hour?
Overtime pay is 1.5 times your regular hourly rate. For example, if you earn $20/hour, your overtime rate is $30/hour ($20 x 1.5). This is the federal minimum; some states or employers may pay more.
Do part-time workers get overtime?
Yes. Part-time workers are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek, regardless of their part-time status.
Can my employer refuse to pay overtime?
No. If you are a non-exempt employee under the FLSA, your employer is legally required to pay overtime. Refusing to pay overtime is a violation of federal law.
How do I calculate overtime from my salary?
Divide your annual salary by 52 (weeks per year) to get your weekly salary, then divide by 40 to get your hourly rate. Multiply that by 1.5 to get your overtime rate. Example: $50,000/year = $961.54/week = $24.04/hour regular = $36.06/hour overtime.
Is overtime calculated daily or weekly?
Under federal law, overtime is calculated weekly (over 40 hours per workweek). However, some states like California require daily overtime calculation (over 8 hours per day). Always check your state’s specific rules.
Quick Overtime Pay Reference Table
Use this reference table to quickly estimate overtime pay for common hourly rates:
| Regular Rate | OT Rate (1.5x) | Pay for 1hr OT | Pay for 5hrs OT | Pay for 10hrs OT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10/hr | $15.00/hr | $15.00 | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| $15/hr | $22.50/hr | $22.50 | $112.50 | $225.00 |
| $20/hr | $30.00/hr | $30.00 | $150.00 | $300.00 |
| $25/hr | $37.50/hr | $37.50 | $187.50 | $375.00 |
| $30/hr | $45.00/hr | $45.00 | $225.00 | $450.00 |
| $35/hr | $52.50/hr | $52.50 | $262.50 | $525.00 |
| $40/hr | $60.00/hr | $60.00 | $300.00 | $600.00 |
| $50/hr | $75.00/hr | $75.00 | $375.00 | $750.00 |
Use Our Free Overtime Pay Calculator
Stop doing overtime math in your head. Use our free Overtime Pay Calculator to instantly calculate your overtime earnings, total weekly pay, and estimated take-home pay after taxes. Just enter your hourly rate and overtime hours — we handle the rest.
Related tools:
- Salary Calculator — Convert between hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and annual pay
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise affects your take-home pay
- Take-Home Pay by State — Compare after-tax income across all 50 states
Last updated: July 2026. Overtime laws vary by state. Check your state’s specific regulations or consult a labor attorney for questions about your situation.