Everyday Life · Practical Life · Work & Finance
Overtime Pay Calculator
Calculates total weekly pay including overtime earnings based on your regular hourly rate, standard hours, and overtime hours worked.
Calculator
Formula
P_{total} is total weekly gross pay. H_{reg} is the number of regular hours worked (typically up to 40). R is the regular hourly pay rate. H_{ot} is the number of overtime hours worked beyond the regular threshold. M_{ot} is the overtime multiplier — 1.5 for time-and-a-half, 2.0 for double time, or a custom value depending on employer policy or jurisdiction.
Source: U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. § 207 — Overtime Compensation Standards.
How it works
Overtime pay is additional compensation earned when an employee works beyond a standard threshold — most commonly 40 hours per week in the United States under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers are legally required to pay eligible non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for every hour worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. Some industries, union contracts, or jurisdictions apply higher multipliers such as double time (2×) for holidays or extended shifts.
The core formula is straightforward: total gross pay equals regular hours multiplied by the hourly rate, plus overtime hours multiplied by the hourly rate and the overtime multiplier. Expressed formally: P_total = (H_reg × R) + (H_ot × R × M_ot). The overtime multiplier (M_ot) is the key variable — 1.5 is the federally mandated minimum in the U.S., but your employer, collective bargaining agreement, or state law may provide a higher rate. California, for instance, requires double time after 12 hours in a single workday.
This calculator is widely useful for employees checking payroll accuracy, freelancers billing clients for extended project hours, small business owners estimating labor costs, and students studying compensation structures. By separating regular pay and overtime pay as distinct outputs, you can clearly see how much of your total income is attributable to overtime — useful for budgeting, tax planning, and negotiating employment terms.
Worked example
Suppose a warehouse worker earns a regular rate of $18.00 per hour. During a particularly busy shipping week, they work their standard 40 regular hours plus an additional 10 overtime hours. Their employer applies the standard time-and-a-half multiplier (1.5×).
Step 1 — Calculate regular pay: 40 hours × $18.00 = $720.00
Step 2 — Calculate the overtime hourly rate: $18.00 × 1.5 = $27.00 per hour
Step 3 — Calculate overtime pay: 10 hours × $27.00 = $270.00
Step 4 — Calculate total gross pay: $720.00 + $270.00 = $990.00
By working 10 overtime hours, the worker earned an additional $270.00 beyond their standard weekly wage — a 37.5% boost to their gross pay for that week. Note that this is gross pay before any federal, state, or local income tax withholding, Social Security contributions, Medicare deductions, or benefits deductions are applied.
Limitations & notes
This calculator computes gross overtime pay only and does not account for income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) deductions, state or local payroll taxes, health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, or other payroll deductions. The actual take-home pay will be lower. Additionally, overtime eligibility depends on worker classification — in the U.S., only non-exempt employees under the FLSA are entitled to overtime pay; salaried exempt employees typically are not. Some jurisdictions calculate overtime on a daily basis rather than a weekly one (e.g., California requires OT after 8 hours in a single day). This tool assumes a simple weekly overtime threshold and a single flat hourly rate, so it may not accurately reflect complex pay structures involving shift differentials, piece-rate pay, commissions, bonuses included in the regular rate of pay, or multiple jobs with different rates. Always verify overtime entitlements with your employer's HR department or a licensed employment attorney.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard overtime pay rate in the United States?
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. This is commonly called 'time and a half.' Some states and employers offer higher rates, but 1.5× is the federal minimum.
Do all employees qualify for overtime pay?
No. Under the FLSA, overtime rules apply to non-exempt employees. Salaried employees earning above a certain threshold (currently $684 per week as of 2025) and classified as executive, administrative, or professional may be exempt. Independent contractors are also generally not covered by FLSA overtime rules.
What is the difference between time-and-a-half and double time?
Time-and-a-half means you earn 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for overtime hours — so if you earn $20/hr normally, you earn $30/hr in overtime. Double time means you earn exactly twice your regular rate ($40/hr in this example). Double time is common for holidays, Sundays in some contracts, or hours exceeding 12 in a single workday under California law.
Is overtime pay calculated before or after taxes?
The overtime pay amounts shown in this calculator are gross figures — calculated before any tax withholding or deductions. Your actual net (take-home) overtime pay will be lower after federal and state income taxes, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and any other payroll deductions are applied.
Can my employer refuse to pay overtime even if I worked extra hours?
If you are a non-exempt employee under the FLSA, your employer is legally required to pay overtime for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, even if they did not pre-authorize the overtime. However, your employer may discipline you for working unauthorized overtime. If you believe you are owed unpaid overtime, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
Last updated: 2025-01-15 · Formula verified against primary sources.