How to Calculate Overtime Pay
Overtime pay starts with your overtime rate. Multiply your hourly rate by the overtime multiplier — for time and a half that is 1.5. Then multiply the overtime rate by the number of overtime hours you worked.
Overtime rate = hourly rate × 1.5
Overtime pay = overtime hours × overtime rate
Your total gross pay for the week is your regular pay (regular hours × hourly rate) plus your overtime pay. This calculator is a general estimate — your actual pay depends on your employer and local laws.
Time and a Half vs Double Time
The overtime multiplier sets how much extra you earn for overtime hours:
- Time and a half (1.5x) — the most common overtime rate, paid at 150% of your regular hourly rate.
- Double time (2x) — paid at 200% of your regular rate, often for holidays or hours worked well beyond a normal shift.
Switch the multiplier in the calculator to compare time and a half against double time for the same hours.
When Does Overtime Apply?
In the United States, overtime commonly applies to hours worked over 40 hours per week. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must be paid at least time and a half for those extra hours. Rules vary by state and employer — some states use a daily threshold or require double time in certain cases — so check your local laws and your employer's policy.
Overtime Pay Example
Say you earn $20 per hour and work 45 hours in a week, with 40 regular hours and 5 overtime hours at time and a half:
- Regular pay: 40 × $20 = $800.00
- Overtime rate: $20 × 1.5 = $30.00/hr
- Overtime pay: 5 × $30.00 = $150.00
- Total gross pay: $800.00 + $150.00 = $950.00
Overtime Tips
- Track your hours accurately so regular and overtime hours are split correctly at the 40-hour mark.
- Confirm your overtime multiplier — most jobs use time and a half, but some pay double time in specific situations.
- Remember that overtime is calculated on your gross pay before taxes and deductions.
- Keep your own records in case you need to check a paycheck against your employer's figures.
