Overtime calculator

US overtime laws (FLSA)

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the federal law that establishes overtime pay requirements in the United States. Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for any hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. The FLSA applies to most private and public sector employers, and the 40-hour threshold is calculated per workweek — not per pay period or per day.

Some states have additional overtime protections. For example, California requires daily overtime (1.5x after 8 hours in a day and 2x after 12), while Colorado requires overtime for hours worked beyond 12 in a day as well as 40 in a week. Always check your state's labor laws in addition to federal requirements. The Department of Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforces the FLSA, and employees can file complaints if their employer does not comply.

Exempt employees — those in executive, administrative, professional or outside sales roles who meet the salary threshold and perform specific job duties defined by the FLSA — are generally not entitled to overtime. The current salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year) as of 2024.

Time and a half explained

Time and a half refers to an overtime rate of 1.5 times your normal hourly pay. It is the standard overtime premium required by the FLSA. When you work more than 40 hours in a workweek, every additional hour must be paid at 1.5x your regular rate.

• How it works: If your regular hourly rate is $20, time and a half pays $30 per overtime hour ($20 × 1.5).
• Who qualifies: Non-exempt hourly workers covered by the FLSA. Some salaried workers below the exemption threshold also qualify.
• Workweek rule: Overtime is calculated per workweek (a fixed 7-day period set by your employer). Hours cannot be averaged across multiple weeks.
• Including bonuses: Some non-discretionary bonuses must be factored into the regular rate when calculating overtime — the employer recalculates the regular rate including the bonus and pays the additional overtime premium.

When double time applies

Double time (2x) is a higher overtime premium that applies in certain circumstances. While the FLSA only mandates 1.5x overtime, double time is required in some states and under many collective bargaining agreements:

• California law: Double time is required for hours worked beyond 12 in a single day and for the 7th consecutive day of work when total hours exceed 8.
• Holiday pay: Many employers voluntarily offer double time for work on federal holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
• Union contracts: Collective bargaining agreements often include double time provisions for Sundays, holidays or excessive overtime.
• Employer policy: Some companies offer double time as a recruiting or retention incentive for certain roles, especially in skilled trades and healthcare.

If your employer offers double time, select the 2x option in the calculator above to see how much you would earn. Use our hourly to salary calculator to compare overtime earnings against salaried positions.

Frequently asked questions

What is time and a half?

Time and a half is an overtime pay rate of 1.5 times your normal hourly wage. For example, if you earn $20 per hour, time and a half pays $30 per overtime hour. It is the standard overtime rate required by the FLSA for non-exempt employees in the United States.

When do I get overtime pay?

You get overtime pay when you work more than 40 hours in a single workweek and you are classified as a non-exempt employee under the FLSA. Overtime is calculated at 1.5x your regular rate. Some states also require daily overtime beyond 8 hours in a day.

Does overtime apply to salaried employees?

Salaried employees may qualify for overtime if they earn below the FLSA salary threshold ($684 per week as of 2024) or if their job duties do not meet the exemption criteria. "Exempt" salaried roles — executive, administrative, professional and outside sales — are generally not entitled to overtime if they earn above the threshold.

What is the difference between time and a half and double time?

Time and a half (1.5x) is the standard overtime rate required by federal law. Double time (2x) is a higher premium that California requires for certain hours (over 12 in a day) and that some employers offer for holidays, Sundays or excessive overtime as part of their policy or union agreements.

How is overtime calculated for employees who earn tips?

For tipped employees, the employer may use the full minimum wage or the cash wage paid (typically $2.13 per hour under federal law) as the base for calculating the regular rate, depending on how tips are claimed. The overtime rate must be at least 1.5x the applicable regular rate. This area is complex — consult the DOL or an employment attorney for specific guidance.