Overtime Pay Calculator
Federal overtime is simple to state and constantly miscomputed: hours over 40 in a single workweek pay at least time and a half, and weeks are never averaged against each other. This calculator splits one week's hours into regular and overtime pay in exact cents. The threshold and multiplier are adjustable because a handful of states go further than federal law, adding daily overtime after 8 or 12 hours; the table below lists them.
- Regular pay (40 h)
- $880.00
- Overtime pay (5 h at 1.5x)
- $165.00
- Total gross pay for the week
- $1,045.00
Federal law computes overtime per workweek, never averaged across a pay period. Some states also require daily overtime; see the table below.
What to Know
- The FLSA overtime threshold is 40 hours per workweek, and each workweek stands alone: 45 hours one week and 35 the next is 5 overtime hours even though the average is 40.
- The federal multiplier is a floor of 1.5x the regular rate. California adds 2x after 12 hours in a day; nothing federal ever requires double time.
- A 'workweek' is any fixed, recurring 168-hour period the employer defines; it does not have to match the calendar week, but it cannot move around to dodge overtime.
- Salaried employees can still be owed overtime: the exemption tests are about duties and salary level, not the mere fact of being paid a salary.
- For a worker at $22/hour doing 45 hours: $880 regular + $165 overtime = $1,045. That $165 is what averaging across a light following week silently deletes.
States With Daily Overtime Rules
Federal law requires overtime after 40 hours in a workweek everywhere. These states add a daily trigger on top. Rules carry industry and employer-size exceptions; confirm your state's current law before relying on this summary.
| State | Daily trigger | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| California | Over 8 hours / day | 1.5x after 8, 2x after 12; special 7th-day rules |
| Alaska | Over 8 hours / day | 1.5x, with exemptions for some voluntary flex plans |
| Nevada | Over 8 hours / day | Applies when the employee earns under 1.5x minimum wage |
| Colorado | Over 12 hours / day | 1.5x after 12 in a workday (or 12 consecutive hours) |
Source: State labor codes (CA Labor Code §510; AK Stat. §23.10.060; NV Rev. Stat. §608.018; CO COMPS Order) · checked 2026-08
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overtime calculated per day or per week?
Federally, per week only: over 40 hours in the employer's defined workweek. Four states add a daily trigger on top (California, Alaska, and Nevada after 8 hours; Colorado after 12), and where both apply the employee gets whichever produces more pay.
Can my employer average two weeks to avoid overtime?
No. The no-averaging rule is explicit in federal regulation: each workweek stands alone, even on a biweekly payroll. 45 and 35 hour weeks pay 5 hours of overtime despite totaling 80.
What rate does overtime use if I earn bonuses?
Overtime is 1.5x the 'regular rate', which includes most nondiscretionary bonuses and shift differentials, not just the base wage. A production bonus raises the overtime rate for the week it covers.
Need the Document, Not Just the Number?
Results are general-purpose calculations, not legal, tax, or accounting advice. How our math is built and checked →