Third Shift: Typical Hours, Pay and How to Schedule It

Short answer: Third shift is the overnight shift in a three-shift day. It usually runs from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., though 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and midnight to 8 a.m. are also common. It is also called the graveyard or night shift. Federal law does not require extra pay for third shift, but many employers pay a shift differential to attract workers.

Third shift workers clocking in overnight — Third shift covers the overnight hours.

Typical third shift hours

Shift	Common hours	Military time
First shift	7 a.m. to 3 p.m.	0700–1500
Second shift	3 p.m. to 11 p.m.	1500–2300
Third shift	11 p.m. to 7 a.m.	2300–0700

Hours vary by employer. Hospitals, manufacturing plants, warehouses, security and call centers run third shifts most often. See the second shift guide and the military time chart.

Third shift pay

Shift differential: not required by federal law, but common. It is usually a flat amount per hour or a percentage. See shift differential pay and the shift differential calculator.
Overtime: hours over 40 in a workweek are overtime for non-exempt employees. A shift differential is included in the regular rate for overtime.
Which day counts: a shift that crosses midnight is usually assigned to the day it started. Set the rule in writing.

Scheduling third shift

Keep third shift crews on a consistent pattern; rotating too often is hard on sleep.
Plan handoffs at shift change with shift notes.
Track hours across midnight correctly. See overnight shift time tracking.

EZTime scheduling builds three-shift schedules, and the time clock records punches across midnight with overtime alerts.

Frequently asked questions

What are third shift hours?

Usually 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., though some employers use 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or midnight to 8 a.m.

Is third shift the same as graveyard shift?

Yes. Third shift, graveyard shift and night shift usually mean the same overnight shift.

Do third shift workers get paid more?

Not by federal law, but many employers pay a shift differential.

Does shift differential count toward overtime?

Yes. It is part of the regular rate used to calculate overtime.

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Updated November 2026.