What is Time and a Half?
Time and a half refers to overtime pay at 1.5 times (150%) your regular hourly rate. It's the most common overtime pay rate in the United States, required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for non-exempt employees working over 40 hours per week.
How to Calculate Time and a Half
To calculate time and a half pay:
- Multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5
- Multiply the result by the number of overtime hours
Example: If you earn $20/hour and work 4 hours overtime:
$20 × 1.5 = $30/hour overtime rate
$30 × 4 hours = $120 overtime pay
Common Overtime Rates
- 1.5x (Time and a Half) - Standard overtime rate for hours over 40/week
- 2x (Double Time) - Often used for holidays or extended overtime
- 3x (Triple Time) - Used for special circumstances or certain holidays
Time and a Half Chart
| Hourly Rate | 1.5x Rate |
|---|---|
| $15.00 | $22.50 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 |
| $50.00 | $75.00 |
