Overtime Calculator
Calculate overtime pay per period or project annual earnings with time-and-a-half, double-time, or a custom multiplier.
⏰ What is an Overtime Calculator?
Overtime pay is additional compensation paid when an employee works beyond their standard hours. Under the US Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most non-exempt employees are entitled to at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for every hour worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. This is commonly called time-and-a-half. Some states and employment contracts provide more generous overtime rules, including double-time (2x) for extended workdays or seventh consecutive workdays.
This Overtime Calculator handles two common needs. The Pay Period OT mode calculates your gross pay for a specific week or biweekly pay period when you have worked both regular and overtime hours. It shows your regular pay, overtime pay, total gross pay, the overtime premium earned (the extra amount beyond what you would have earned at straight time), and your effective blended hourly rate. The Annual Overtime Earnings mode lets you project total yearly income when you consistently work overtime each week, which is useful for budgeting or comparing job offers that include expected overtime.
Understanding overtime math matters beyond the paycheck itself. Overtime pay is taxable income at your ordinary income tax rate, so a pay period with heavy overtime can result in higher withholding. Lenders often require a two-year overtime history before including it in qualifying income for mortgages. And for workers considering whether to take on extra shifts, seeing the exact dollar value of each overtime hour versus the fatigue trade-off helps make informed decisions.
The calculator also displays a note about FLSA compliance. If you enter a multiplier below 1.5x and you have overtime hours in a workweek where total hours exceed 40, the calculator will flag that this may not meet federal minimum standards. This is helpful for employees who suspect they may be underpaid for overtime or for payroll professionals verifying calculations.
📐 Formula
📖 How to Use This Calculator
Steps
💡 Example Calculations
Example 1 - Warehouse Worker at $18/hour, 10 Hours OT
Weekly pay period with 40 regular hours and 10 overtime hours at 1.5x
Example 2 - IT Professional at $45/hour, Annual OT Projection
40 regular hours + 8 OT hours per week for 50 weeks at 1.5x
Example 3 - Nurse at $35/hour, Double Time on Weekend Shift
Biweekly period: 80 regular hours + 16 OT hours at 2.0x double time
Example 4 - Retail Associate, 5 Weekly OT Hours All Year
$15/hour, 40 regular + 5 OT hours/week at 1.5x for 52 weeks
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔗 Related Calculators
How do I calculate overtime pay at time-and-a-half?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5 to get the overtime rate. Then multiply the overtime rate by overtime hours. For example, at $20/hour with 8 overtime hours: OT rate = $20 x 1.5 = $30/hour. OT pay = $30 x 8 = $240. Regular pay for 40 hours = $20 x 40 = $800. Total weekly pay = $1,040.
What is the FLSA overtime rule?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5x their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. It does not require overtime for working more than 8 hours in a single day. Some states (notably California) have daily overtime rules that are more generous than the federal standard.
What is the difference between time-and-a-half and double time?
Time-and-a-half is 1.5x your regular hourly rate, required by federal law for weekly hours over 40. Double time is 2x your regular rate and is required in California for hours over 12 in a single day and all hours on the seventh consecutive workday in a week. Federal law does not require double time - it is typically negotiated in union contracts or state law.
How is overtime calculated for biweekly pay periods?
Overtime under FLSA is calculated per workweek, not per pay period. Even if you are paid biweekly, overtime applies to each 40-hour workweek independently. In one biweekly period, you could work 35 hours one week and 50 hours the next - only the second week generates overtime (10 hours at 1.5x). Employers cannot average hours across a two-week period to avoid paying overtime under federal law.
Does overtime affect my tax bracket?
Overtime pay is taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate, the same as regular wages. However, receiving a larger check in a single period can temporarily push you into a higher withholding bracket for that paycheck. This is a withholding issue, not a permanent tax increase - your actual tax liability is settled at year-end filing based on total annual income.
How much is 10 hours of overtime per week at $18/hour?
Overtime rate = $18 x 1.5 = $27/hour. Weekly OT pay = $27 x 10 = $270. Regular pay for 40 hours = $18 x 40 = $720. Total weekly pay = $990. Over 50 working weeks, the 10 hours of weekly overtime adds $270 x 50 = $13,500 to your annual income, on top of a $36,000 base.
Are salaried employees entitled to overtime pay?
It depends on whether they are classified as exempt or non-exempt under FLSA. Salaried employees earning at least $684/week ($35,568/year) who perform executive, administrative, or professional duties are typically exempt and do not receive overtime (verify the current FLSA salary threshold at dol.gov as it is subject to regulatory revision). Salaried non-exempt employees (those below the salary threshold or not meeting the duties test) must receive 1.5x their regular rate for weekly hours over 40.
What is the regular rate of pay for overtime purposes?
The regular rate of pay includes hourly wages plus most additional compensation: non-discretionary bonuses, commissions, piece-rate pay, and shift differentials. Discretionary bonuses, gifts, vacation pay, and certain other payments are excluded. If you earn a production bonus, your employer must recalculate your blended regular rate and pay the overtime premium on the bonus portion too.
How do I calculate overtime for someone paid a weekly salary?
Divide the weekly salary by the number of hours the salary was intended to cover (typically 40) to get the regular hourly rate. Then calculate overtime at 1.5x that rate for hours over 40. Example: $800/week salary for 40 hours = $20/hr regular rate. 5 overtime hours = $20 x 1.5 x 5 = $150 overtime premium. Total weekly pay = $800 + $150 = $950.
Can an employer give compensatory time instead of overtime pay?
In the private sector, federal FLSA generally does not allow comp time in lieu of overtime cash pay for most employees - overtime must be paid in money. State and local government employers may offer comp time under specific conditions. Some private employers use flex scheduling (working fewer hours another week) to stay under the 40-hour threshold, which is legal if the actual hours in any single workweek never exceed 40.
How much extra do I earn per year working 5 hours of overtime weekly?
At $20/hour with 5 weekly OT hours at 1.5x for 52 weeks: OT rate = $30/hour. Annual OT = $30 x 5 x 52 = $7,800. Your base annual pay (40 hours x 52 weeks) = $41,600. With overtime: $49,400/year. Working just 5 extra hours per week adds nearly 19% to annual earnings. Use the Annual Overtime mode above to model your specific situation.