California · overtime pay
California Overtime Calculator
Time-and-a-half pay for California workers — federal 40-hour overtime plus California's daily overtime rules.
Overtime in California
California pays 1.5× after 8 hours in a day (and after 40 in a week), 2× after 12 hours in a day, plus overtime on the 7th consecutive workday.
California pays 1.5× after 8 hours in a day (and after 40 in a week), 2× after 12 hours in a day, plus overtime on the 7th consecutive workday.
Your overtime pay
$150.00
$950.00 total gross pay for the period
- Regular pay (40 hrs)
- $800.00
- Overtime pay (5 hrs · 1.5×)
- $150.00
- Total gross pay
- $950.00
How overtime works in California
California goes beyond the federal overtime rule. California pays 1.5× after 8 hours in a day (and after 40 in a week), 2× after 12 hours in a day, plus overtime on the 7th consecutive workday. That means a long single day can earn overtime here even if your weekly total stays under 40 hours — the opposite of a federal-only state.
Here's how the weekly math works at $30/hour: a 50-hour week is 40 regular hours ($1,200) plus 10 overtime hours at time-and-a-half ($450), for $1,650 gross — an effective $33/hour across all 50 hours. In California, the same total can be higher if it stacks up as long days, because daily hours over 8 count as overtime regardless of the weekly total.
The figure comes down to three things: your regular rate of pay — which must include nondiscretionary bonuses and commissions, not just your base wage — how your hours split into regular, overtime, and (in California) any double-time, and your exemption status. Salaried employees who meet the federal salary threshold and the executive, administrative, or professional duties tests are generally exempt and do not earn overtime, regardless of hours.
What determines your overtime pay
| Factor | Effect on pay |
|---|---|
| Regular rate of pay | Includes your base wage plus nondiscretionary bonuses and commissions, not just the hourly rate |
| Weekly hours over 40 | The federal FLSA overtime trigger — paid at 1.5× in every state |
| Daily hours | California pays overtime after 8 hours in a day, on top of the weekly rule |
| Overtime multiplier | 1.5× standard, and 2× double-time past the daily threshold |
| Exemption status | Exempt salaried employees (executive, administrative, professional) do not earn overtime |
| Workweek definition | Your employer's fixed, recurring 168-hour (7-day) period — overtime is figured within it |
How California's overtime rules compare
| Reference | Overtime rule |
|---|---|
| Federal (FLSA) baseline | 40 hrs/week at 1.5×; no daily overtime |
| California | over 8 hrs/day at 1.5×, 2× past 12, plus 7th-day overtime, on top of 40 hrs/week |
California overtime tips
- Track your hours by day, not just by week — in California, daily hours over 8 earn overtime even if your week stays under 40.
- Confirm your overtime rate includes nondiscretionary bonuses and commissions, not just your base hourly wage.
- Know your exemption status: if you're salaried, check whether you meet the California and federal duties tests before assuming you don't qualify for overtime.
- Keep your own record of hours worked; it's your best evidence if a paycheck is ever short.
- In California, working 7 consecutive days in a workweek triggers overtime on that 7th day — watch for it on stretched schedules.
Frequently asked questions
How is overtime pay calculated?+
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime is 1.5× your regular hourly rate for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek. So if you earn $20/hour and work 45 hours, the first 40 hours pay $800 and the 5 overtime hours pay $30 each ($20 × 1.5) for $150 — a $950 week. Some states add daily overtime on top of this.
What is time and a half?+
"Time and a half" means 1.5× your normal pay rate — the standard federal overtime multiplier. For a $20/hour worker, time and a half is $30/hour. "Double time" (2×) is not required by federal law, but California requires it after 12 hours in a single day.
Does my state have daily overtime?+
Most states follow the federal weekly rule (overtime after 40 hours per week). A few — California, Alaska, Nevada, and Colorado — also pay overtime after a set number of hours in a single day, regardless of the weekly total. California pays 1.5× after 8 hours a day and 2× after 12. Pick your state above to see its rule.
How much is overtime on $20 an hour?+
At $20/hour, overtime (time and a half) is $30/hour. Ten overtime hours would add $300 to your paycheck on top of your regular 40-hour pay. Use the calculator to combine your regular and overtime hours into a single take-home-before-tax figure.
Is overtime taxed more than regular pay?+
No. Overtime is ordinary income and is taxed at the same rates as your regular wages. It can look like more tax was taken out because the extra pay may be withheld at a higher rate, but that's reconciled when you file your return. This calculator shows gross overtime pay before taxes.
How do I calculate overtime on a bi-weekly paycheck?+
Overtime is always figured per workweek, not per pay period — even if you're paid bi-weekly. Calculate the overtime for each of the two weeks separately (hours over 40 in that week × 1.5 × your rate), then add the two weeks together for your bi-weekly total. You can't average 80 hours across two weeks; a 45-hour week followed by a 35-hour week still owes 5 hours of overtime.
Do salaried employees get overtime?+
It depends on whether the role is "exempt." Salaried workers who are properly classified as exempt (certain executive, administrative, and professional roles above a salary threshold) don't get overtime. Non-exempt salaried workers do — their overtime is based on an hourly rate derived from the salary. When in doubt, check with your state labor department.
This tool estimates gross overtime pay before taxes and is for information, not legal advice. California overtime rules can depend on your industry and exemption status — confirm with the California labor department for your situation.