The rule that drives the number
The federal FLSA requires 1.5 times the base rate for every hour a non-exempt employee works beyond 40 in a workweek. Overtime is counted by the week, not the day: a 12-hour Monday earns no overtime on its own if the week still totals 40 or fewer hours.
Time and a half by base rate
| Base rate | Overtime (1.5×) | Double time (2×) | 45-hour week | 50-hour week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $450.00 | $500.00 |
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $30.00 | $675.00 | $750.00 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $900.00 | $1,000.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $50.00 | $1,125.00 | $1,250.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 | $1,350.00 | $1,500.00 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 | $1,800.00 | $2,000.00 |
A 45-hour week is 40 regular hours plus 5 at time and a half; a 50-hour week is 40 plus 10. Federal law does not require double time — that column applies only where a state or employer offers it.
Exempt vs non-exempt is what decides eligibility
Only non-exempt workers earn overtime. Being exempt is not about the job title or getting a salary — an employer must clear all three tests below, and failing any one leaves the worker non-exempt.
| Test | Exempt requires |
|---|---|
| Salary basis | Paid a fixed, predetermined salary |
| Salary threshold | At least $684 per week ($35,568 a year, federal) |
| Duties test | Genuine executive, administrative, or professional duties |
Miss any one and the employee is non-exempt and owed overtime. States such as California add stricter thresholds and daily overtime.
The mistakes that cost people money
- "Salaried means no overtime." False. A salary below the threshold, or without exempt duties, still earns overtime.
- Counting overtime per day. Federal overtime is weekly. A few states (California, Alaska, Nevada) add daily overtime after 8 hours, but most do not.
- Skipping bonuses in the base. Non-discretionary bonuses, shift differentials, and commissions raise the "regular rate," which raises the overtime rate.
- Unauthorized hours. If the employer knew or should have known you worked the hours, they must pay the overtime even if they never approved it.
Common questions
How do I calculate time and a half?
Multiply your base hourly rate by 1.5. At $18 an hour that is $27 for each overtime hour. A 48-hour week pays 40 hours at $18 plus 8 hours at $27, which is $720 plus $216, or $936.
When does overtime pay kick in?
Under federal law (the FLSA), non-exempt employees earn 1.5 times their rate for every hour worked past 40 in a single workweek. The workweek is any fixed span of seven days, and overtime is counted per week, not per day.
Do salaried employees get overtime?
They can. A salary alone does not make you exempt. Anyone below the salary threshold, or who does not meet the duties test, is non-exempt and owed overtime even if paid a salary.
Is holiday pay always time and a half?
No. Federal law does not require any extra pay for working a holiday; holiday premium pay is a voluntary employer benefit. Overtime only applies if the holiday hours push your weekly total past 40.
