📊 Overtime Pay by Hourly Rate — Quick Reference
| Regular Rate | OT Rate (1.5×) | Double Time (2×) | 5 hrs OT weekly | 10 hrs OT weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10/hr | $15.00/hr | $20.00/hr | +$75/wk | +$150/wk |
| $13/hr | $19.50/hr | $26.00/hr | +$97.50/wk | +$195/wk |
| $15/hr | $22.50/hr | $30.00/hr | +$112.50/wk | +$225/wk |
| $17/hr | $25.50/hr | $34.00/hr | +$127.50/wk | +$255/wk |
| $20/hr | $30.00/hr | $40.00/hr | +$150/wk | +$300/wk |
| $25/hr | $37.50/hr | $50.00/hr | +$187.50/wk | +$375/wk |
| $30/hr | $45.00/hr | $60.00/hr | +$225/wk | +$450/wk |
| $35/hr | $52.50/hr | $70.00/hr | +$262.50/wk | +$525/wk |
| $40/hr | $60.00/hr | $80.00/hr | +$300/wk | +$600/wk |
| $50/hr | $75.00/hr | $100.00/hr | +$375/wk | +$750/wk |
📖 Overtime Law Guide — Federal FLSA & State Rules
Federal FLSA Overtime Rules
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. There is no federal requirement for daily overtime, comp time, or double time — only the weekly 40-hour threshold matters.
California Overtime Rules (Strictest in the U.S.)
California has the most employee-friendly overtime laws in the U.S.:
- 1.5× rate for hours over 8 in a single workday
- 1.5× rate for the first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day in a workweek
- 1.5× rate for all hours over 40 in a workweek
- 2× rate (double time) for hours over 12 in a single workday
- 2× rate for all hours worked beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive day
Who Qualifies for Overtime? (Exempt vs. Non-Exempt)
Not all employees qualify for overtime. Exempt employees (salaried managers, professionals, and executives earning over $684/week under FLSA) do not receive overtime pay. Non-exempt employees — which includes most hourly workers and many salaried workers under the threshold — must receive overtime pay.
How to Calculate Overtime Pay
Step 1: Determine your regular rate of pay (hourly wage, or total weekly earnings ÷ total hours including overtime)
Step 2: Calculate overtime rate = Regular Rate × 1.5
Step 3: Multiply overtime rate × overtime hours
Step 4: Add regular pay + overtime pay = total weekly pay
Example: $25/hr × 40 regular hrs = $1,000 regular pay. $25 × 1.5 = $37.50/hr OT rate. $37.50 × 5 OT hrs = $187.50 overtime. Total = $1,187.50 for 45 hours.
States with Stricter Overtime Rules than Federal
In addition to California, several states have overtime protections beyond federal FLSA:
- Alaska: Daily overtime (1.5×) after 8 hours/day
- Nevada: Daily overtime (1.5×) after 8 hours/day for workers earning below 1.5× minimum wage
- Colorado: Daily overtime after 12 hours/day and 12 consecutive hours
- Kentucky: 7th day overtime provisions similar to California
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Time and a half means you earn 1.5× your regular hourly rate for overtime hours. If you earn $20/hr, your overtime rate is $30/hr ($20 × 1.5). Under federal FLSA law, time and a half is required for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek for non-exempt employees.
Overtime calculation: (1) Find your regular rate; (2) Multiply by 1.5 to get overtime rate; (3) Multiply overtime rate × overtime hours; (4) Add to regular pay. Example: $25/hr, 45 hours worked. Regular pay: $25 × 40 = $1,000. OT rate: $25 × 1.5 = $37.50/hr. OT pay: $37.50 × 5 hrs = $187.50. Total: $1,187.50.
Double time means earning 2× your regular hourly rate. At $25/hr, double time is $50/hr. Federal law does not require double time — it is only mandated in California (for hours over 12/day and all hours on the 7th consecutive workday) and some specific industries. Employers may voluntarily offer double time in their policies or union contracts.
Yes — California is unique in requiring daily overtime. Workers in California earn 1.5× rate for hours over 8 in a single day (regardless of total weekly hours). Double time (2×) applies for hours over 12 in a day. Additionally, the first 8 hours on a 7th consecutive workday are paid at 1.5×, and hours beyond 8 on the 7th day are double time. This is far more protective than the federal weekly-only standard.
It depends on whether the employee is classified as "exempt" or "non-exempt." Salaried non-exempt employees (earning under $684/week federally, or $1,280/week in California) are entitled to overtime. Salaried exempt employees (typically managers, professionals, executives above the threshold) generally do not receive overtime, regardless of hours worked. Being salaried alone does not automatically exempt an employee from overtime — the salary threshold and job duties both matter.