FLSA Overtime Pay Calculator
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, covered nonexempt employees must be paid at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for every hour worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. This calculator splits your total weekly hours into straight-time hours (up to 40) and overtime hours (above 40), then pays the overtime portion at 1.5 times your regular rate. Enter your regular hourly rate and the total hours you worked in the week to see your straight-time pay, overtime premium pay, and combined gross pay for the week before taxes and deductions.
FLSA overtime formula
Straight hours = min(total hours, threshold)
Overtime hours = max(0, total hours - threshold)
Straight pay = straight hours * rate
Overtime pay = overtime hours * rate * multiplier
Total pay = straight pay + overtime pay
The federal threshold is 40 hours per workweek and the federal multiplier is 1.5. State law may set a lower daily threshold or a higher multiplier (for example, double time); adjust the inputs accordingly.
US overtime context
- The FLSA overtime threshold is 40 hours in a fixed, recurring 168-hour workweek defined by the employer.
- Federal law has no daily overtime requirement; that is set by some states such as California and Alaska.
- The regular rate must include most nondiscretionary bonuses and shift differentials, which can raise it above the base hourly wage.
- Exempt employees who meet the salary and duties tests are not entitled to FLSA overtime.
- This calculator computes gross pay before federal, state, and FICA withholding.
FLSA overtime: frequently asked questions
What does the FLSA require for overtime?
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires that covered, nonexempt employees receive overtime pay of at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. There is no FLSA requirement for daily overtime; the threshold is weekly.
What is the regular rate of pay?
The regular rate is total straight-time compensation for the workweek (including most bonuses and shift differentials) divided by total hours worked. For a simple hourly employee with no extra pay, the regular rate equals the hourly wage. This calculator lets you enter the regular rate directly.
Does the FLSA require overtime after 8 hours in a day?
No. Federal law only requires overtime after 40 hours in a workweek. Some states, such as California, require daily overtime after 8 hours, but that is state law, not the FLSA. Always check your state labor department for stricter rules.
Who is exempt from FLSA overtime?
Certain executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees who meet salary and duties tests are exempt. Exemption depends on job duties and a salary threshold set by the Department of Labor, not on job title alone.
How is overtime pay calculated?
Overtime hours (hours over 40) are paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. Total pay equals regular hours times the regular rate, plus overtime hours times 1.5 times the regular rate. This calculator computes both components and the combined total.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Overtime Pay.
- U.S. Department of Labor: Overtime Pay topic page.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 17 June 2026. See our methodology.