The core formula takes ten seconds
In the US, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime — usually called "time and a half" — for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. The math for a week is:
Weekly pay = (regular hours × hourly rate) + (overtime hours × hourly rate × 1.5)
So at $20/hour with 46 hours worked: 40 × $20 = $800 regular pay, plus 6 × $20 × 1.5 = $180 overtime, for a total of $980. That extra $60 per overtime hour is the whole point — it is why employers are supposed to think twice before scheduling you past 40.
Salaried employees can earn overtime too
A common misconception is that a salary means no overtime. What actually matters is whether you are exempt or non-exempt, which depends on your job duties and salary level — not on being paid a salary as such. A non-exempt salaried worker is owed overtime, calculated by converting the salary into a regular hourly rate first. If you were told "you're salaried, so no OT," that is worth a second look.
What counts as "hours worked"
- On-call time can count if you are restricted to the workplace or cannot use the time freely.
- Short breaks (5–20 minutes) are paid time; genuine meal breaks are not.
- Required training and travel between job sites generally count.
- Pre- and post-shift tasks — checking equipment, closing procedures — count too, even if unpaid "off the clock."
State rules can be more generous
Federal law only looks at the weekly total, but some states go further. California, for example, requires daily overtime after 8 hours in a day, and "double time" after 12. If you are in one of those states, your multiplier may be 1.5 on some hours and 2.0 on others — set the multiplier accordingly when you calculate.
Run the numbers locally
Open the Overtime Pay Calculator, enter your hourly rate, regular hours, overtime hours, and the multiplier (1.5 for time and a half, 2.0 where double time applies), and the total pay and overtime portion update instantly. The math runs entirely in your browser — your rate and hours are employment details, and none of them are sent anywhere. Then, to see what that paycheck looks like after deductions, run it through the Take-Home Pay Calculator, which works the same private way.
Working across time zones and logging hours from different countries? The Timezone Converter helps you sort out which hours belong to which workday.
FAQ
Do weekends or holidays automatically mean overtime? No — under federal law, overtime depends on total hours over 40 in a week, not which days you worked. A few states and some contracts add weekend or holiday premiums, so check your local rules and employment agreement.
Do tips and bonuses affect the overtime rate? Nondiscretionary bonuses are generally included in the "regular rate" used to compute overtime, which can push your OT rate slightly higher than 1.5 × base pay.
Is double time ever required? Only in some states (California is the best-known example) and never by federal law alone. Your contract may offer it regardless.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice — overtime rules vary by state and contract.