How overtime pay is figured
The federal rule: under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour over 40 in a workweek (29 U.S.C. § 207(a)(1)). A workweek is a fixed, recurring 7-day period set by the employer, and each week stands on its own: hours are not averaged over two weeks (29 C.F.R. § 778.104). Federal law has no daily overtime, and weekend or holiday hours are not overtime by themselves.
Some states differ. California, for example, pays 1.5× for hours over 8 in a workday and 2× over 12, as well as overtime on the seventh day in a row (Labor Code § 510). A 13-hour day at $20 is 8 × $20 = $160 + 4 × $30 = $120 + 1 × $40 = $40, so $320. Other states have their own thresholds and exemptions, so check your state’s rules (your state labor department publishes them).
The regular rate can be more than your base hourly rate: non-discretionary bonuses and shift differentials are usually part of it (29 C.F.R. part 778), which raises the overtime rate too. Salaried and other exempt employees may not get overtime at all. This chart only multiplies an hourly rate.
This chart is a quick estimate, not payroll or legal advice. Your pay stub, your employer and your state labor department can tell you how your overtime is actually paid.
Track overtime automatically
The Punchwise app for Android records your punches and splits each week into regular hours, overtime and double time under the rule you pick (federal, California or your own thresholds), with estimated pay before taxes. Free, offline and no account; export a PDF or CSV time card anytime.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate time and a half?
Multiply your hourly rate by 1.5. $18 × 1.5 = $27.00 an hour; $15 × 1.5 = $22.50. For a week, multiply that by the overtime hours: 5 hours × $27 = $135 on top of your regular pay.
What is double time pay?
Twice the hourly rate: $18 × 2 = $36.00 an hour. Federal law does not require double time; it comes from some state laws (California: over 12 hours in a workday, or over 8 on the seventh day in a row), a union contract or the employer’s own policy. Check your state’s rules.
Do I get overtime after 8 hours in a day?
Not under federal law, which only counts hours over 40 in the workweek: four 10-hour days are 40 hours and no overtime. A few states, such as California, also have daily overtime. Check your state’s rules and your employer’s policy.
How much do I make for 50 hours at $20 an hour?
About $1,100 before taxes under the federal rule: 40 × $20 = $800 for the regular hours, plus 10 overtime hours × $30 (1.5 × $20) = $300. The weekly table above shows 41 to 60 hours at $15, $20 and $25 an hour.
Do holidays and paid time off count toward overtime?
Usually not under federal rules: overtime is based on hours actually worked, so paid holidays, vacation and sick days do not count toward the 40 (29 U.S.C. § 207(e)(2)), unless your employer, your contract or your state says otherwise. The Punchwise app pays them at the base rate and keeps them out of the overtime split.