How much is overtime pay?
Overtime pay is extra pay for hours worked beyond a set threshold, usually 40 hours in a week for hourly employees in the US. The most common overtime rate is "time and a half" — 1.5 times your regular hourly rate — though some employers or situations (like certain holidays) pay "double time," or twice your regular rate. If you make $20 an hour and work 45 hours in a week, your first 40 hours earn $800 at your regular rate. The extra 5 hours earn $30 each at 1.5× your regular rate, for $150 in overtime pay and $950 total pay for the week.
Time and a half vs. double time
Time and a half (1.5×) is the standard overtime rate required under US federal law for non-exempt hourly employees who work more than 40 hours in a week. Double time (2×) isn't federally required in most cases, but some states, union agreements, or company policies may provide it for certain types of work, hours, or holidays. Check your employer's policy or applicable labor law for the rate that applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do salaried employees get overtime pay?
It depends on whether the role is classified as "exempt" or "non-exempt" under labor law, which usually comes down to job duties and salary level, not just the fact that pay is a fixed salary. Non-exempt salaried employees are still entitled to overtime; exempt employees generally aren't. This calculator works from an hourly rate, so a salaried non-exempt employee would need to know their equivalent hourly rate first.
Is the 40-hour threshold the same everywhere?
40 hours per week is the standard federal threshold in the US, but it isn't universal. Some states add daily overtime rules, and other countries use different thresholds. This calculator provides weekly and daily calculation options, plus a Custom option where you can enter your own overtime threshold.
Does overtime apply after 8 hours in a day?
In some places, yes. For example, California has daily overtime rules, while federal US law generally uses a 40-hour weekly threshold for covered non-exempt employees. Daily overtime rules vary by location, so use the Day option only when the applicable rules use a daily threshold.
What does overtime pay mean in this calculator?
Overtime pay is the full amount paid for the overtime hours at the selected overtime rate. For example, at $20 per hour with a 1.5× multiplier, overtime is paid at $30 per hour. Five overtime hours would therefore produce $150 in overtime pay.
What if I worked fewer hours than the threshold?
No overtime applies, and you're paid your regular rate for the hours you actually worked — not the full threshold. Working 35 hours against a 40-hour threshold pays for 35 hours, not 40.