Estimates for one workweek. Overtime pay shown is the full 1.5x and 2x pay for those hours, including the bonus-related premium. Does not include taxes or deductions. General information, not legal or payroll advice.
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive at least one and a half times their regular rate of pay for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek. A workweek is a fixed, recurring period of seven consecutive days, and each workweek stands on its own, so hours cannot be averaged across two weeks.
If you need to total daily clock-in and clock-out times first, use our free time card calculator. For a deeper look at the rules, read our guide to FLSA overtime rules.
| Scenario | Calculation | Gross pay |
|---|---|---|
| $20/hour, 46 hours, no bonus | 40 × $20 = $800, plus 6 × $30 = $180 | $980.00 |
| $20/hour, 46 hours, $92 production bonus | Straight time $920 + $92 = $1,012. Regular rate $1,012 ÷ 46 = $22.00. Overtime premium 6 × $11 = $66 | $1,078.00 |
| $18/hour, 38 hours | No hours over 40, so no federal overtime | $684.00 |
The regular rate generally includes hourly wages plus non-discretionary payments such as production bonuses, attendance bonuses and shift differentials. Certain payments are generally excluded, for example truly discretionary bonuses, gifts, and pay for time not worked such as vacation or holiday pay. Because bonuses can raise the regular rate, they also raise the overtime rate for that week.
Federal law looks only at weekly hours, but some states add daily rules. California, for example, generally requires 1.5x pay for hours over 8 in a workday and 2x pay for hours over 12, along with special rules for the seventh consecutive day of work. A few other states, including Alaska and Colorado, also have daily overtime rules, and others apply them only in certain situations. When state and federal rules differ, employers must follow the rule that is more generous to the employee. Use the optional daily overtime and double-time fields above when they apply to your team, and check your state labor department for the exact rules.
Under federal law, overtime is at least 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay for each hour over 40 in a workweek. At $20 an hour with no other pay, the overtime rate is $30 an hour.
Federal overtime is calculated weekly. Some states, such as California, also require daily overtime, so employers in those states must check both.
Yes. Non-discretionary bonuses, such as production or attendance bonuses, are generally included in the regular rate, which raises the overtime rate for the week the bonus was earned.
It depends on classification, not on how someone is paid. Salaried employees who do not meet the requirements for an exemption are still entitled to overtime.
No. Under the FLSA, employees cannot agree to give up overtime pay they are owed.
Total weekly hours with breaks
Excel timesheet to download
The federal rules explained
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