⏱️ Overtime Pay Calculator
Calculate your time-and-a-half (1.5x) and double-time (2x) overtime earnings based on federal FLSA rules and California daily overtime laws.
California law: Hours 8–12 per day = 1.5× pay. Hours beyond 12 per day = 2× pay.
| Pay Type | Hours | Rate | Earnings |
|---|
| Regular Rate | Time & Half (1.5×) | Double Time (2×) |
|---|
How is Overtime Pay Calculated?
Under the US Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at a rate of at least one and one-half times (1.5×) their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek. A workweek is a fixed, recurring 168-hour period (7 consecutive 24-hour days) — it does not have to align with the calendar week.
Overtime Rate = Regular Hourly Rate × 1.5 (Time and a Half)Double Time Rate = Regular Hourly Rate × 2.0Weekly Overtime Pay = OT Hours × (Regular Rate × 1.5)Total Gross Pay = (Regular Hours × Regular Rate) + Overtime PayExample: $20/hr, 48 total hours worked:
Regular: 40 × $20 = $800 | OT: 8 × $30 = $240 | Total = $1,040
Common Overtime Rates at Popular Hourly Wages
| Regular Rate | Time & a Half (1.5×) | Double Time (2×) | 10 OT Hours Earnings (1.5×) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00/hr | $22.50/hr | $30.00/hr | $225.00 |
| $18.00/hr | $27.00/hr | $36.00/hr | $270.00 |
| $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $40.00/hr | $300.00 |
| $25.00/hr | $37.50/hr | $50.00/hr | $375.00 |
| $30.00/hr | $45.00/hr | $60.00/hr | $450.00 |
| $35.00/hr | $52.50/hr | $70.00/hr | $525.00 |
| $40.00/hr | $60.00/hr | $80.00/hr | $600.00 |
State-Specific Overtime Laws (Beyond Federal FLSA)
🌴 California (Most Protective)
- 1.5× pay: Hours beyond 8 in a single workday, first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday, and hours 40+ in a week.
- 2× pay: Hours beyond 12 in a single workday, and hours beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive workday.
Other States with Daily Overtime Rules
- Alaska: 1.5× beyond 8 hours/day.
- Nevada: 1.5× beyond 8 hours/day (for employees earning under 1.5× minimum wage).
- Colorado: 1.5× beyond 12 hours/day.
- Oregon: 1.5× beyond 10 hours/day for manufacturing workers.
Overtime Rules in Other Countries
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: No legal requirement for premium overtime pay, but the average working week cannot exceed 48 hours (unless opted out). Overtime rates are set by employment contracts.
- 🇨🇦 Canada: Most provinces require 1.5× after 40–44 hours/week (Ontario: 44 hrs, Alberta & BC: 40 hrs or 8 hrs/day).
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Governed by "Awards" — typically 1.5× for the first 2–3 OT hours and 2× thereafter; weekend rates often 1.5×–2×.
Frequently Asked Questions
Time and a half means 1.5 times your regular hourly rate. If you earn $20/hour, your overtime rate is $20 × 1.5 = $30/hour. It's the standard federal overtime premium for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
Under federal FLSA law, overtime is calculated weekly (over 40 hours per workweek only). However, some states like California, Alaska, Nevada, and Colorado also require daily overtime after 8 or 12 hours in a single workday — whichever rule benefits the employee more applies.
In most US states (at-will employment), yes — employers can require mandatory overtime and may terminate employees who refuse, as long as they pay the proper overtime premium. Exceptions exist for certain union contracts, safety regulations (trucking, aviation), and a few state laws.
It depends on exemption status. Salaried employees earning below $43,888/year (July 2024 threshold) are entitled to overtime regardless of duties. Above that, they must also pass the "duties test" (executive, administrative, professional roles) to be exempt.
No. Overtime is taxed as ordinary income at the same rates as regular pay. However, larger OT paychecks may have higher withholding because payroll systems annualize that check's amount. Any over-withholding comes back as a tax refund when you file.