How overtime pay is calculated
Federal overtime is measured by the workweek, not by the day. If you work 12 hours on Monday but only 34 hours all week, no federal overtime is owed. Enter your rate, the hours you worked and the threshold that applies where you live to see the premium.
Legal basis: 29 U.S.C. §207(a) requires at least one and one half times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, and 29 C.F.R. §778.104 confirms the workweek stands alone - hours cannot be averaged across two weeks. There is no federal daily overtime rule. A handful of states add one: California Labor Code §510 requires time and a half after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12, and Alaska, Nevada and Colorado have their own daily rules. Figures are current as of September 2026, so check your state labor department.
Overtime rights depend on being non-exempt; executive, administrative and professional employees meeting the salary and duties tests under 29 C.F.R. Part 541 are exempt. This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not under federal law, which counts only hours over 40 in a workweek. California and a few other states do require daily overtime, so set the threshold field to match your state rule.
No. Under 29 C.F.R. §778.104 each workweek stands alone, so a 50 hour week followed by a 30 hour week still owes 10 hours of overtime.
Not by itself. A salaried employee is exempt only if the salary level and the job duties both meet the tests in 29 C.F.R. Part 541.