Published: April 2026 · 13 min read · Employment & Legal
If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you're likely entitled to overtime pay — but millions of workers don't fully understand how their overtime is calculated, what their rights are under federal and state law, or whether their employer is following the rules correctly. Overtime miscalculations are one of the most common wage violations in the US, costing workers an estimated $1 billion annually in unpaid wages.
An overtime calculator takes the guesswork out of the equation. This guide explains the fundamentals of overtime law, walks you through calculation methods with real examples, and helps you spot common errors that could mean you're leaving money on the table.
Enter your hourly rate, hours worked, and location to calculate your overtime pay instantly.
Overtime pay is additional compensation for hours worked beyond the standard workweek. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for any hours worked over 40 in a single workweek.
The FLSA covers most employees, but eligibility depends on two factors:
Some states go beyond federal requirements:
BASIC OVERTIME FORMULA
Overtime Pay = Overtime Hours × Regular Rate × 1.5
This is the most common scenario. You have a fixed hourly rate, and you work more than 40 hours in a week.
When you work at different hourly rates during the same week, the FLSA requires a weighted average calculation:
Some salaried employees are still entitled to overtime. To calculate their regular rate:
Hourly rate: $25/hour
Hours worked: 48 hours (40 regular + 8 overtime)
Overtime rate: $25 × 1.5 = $37.50/hour
The 8 overtime hours generated an additional $300 — that's $200 more than those hours would have paid at the regular rate.
Hourly rate: $30/hour
Monday–Thursday: 10 hours/day (8 regular + 2 daily OT each day)
Friday: 6 hours
Total hours: 46 (40 regular + 6 daily OT)
California's daily overtime rule kicks in even though total hours (46) are only slightly over 40. Those 8 daily overtime hours at 1.5x add $360 — significantly more than the $60 they'd generate if only weekly overtime applied.
Monday–Wednesday: $22/hour × 8 hours = $528
Thursday–Friday: $28/hour × 10 hours = $560
Saturday: $28/hour × 6 hours = $168
Total: 50 hours, $1,256 straight-time earnings
Regular rate: $1,256 ÷ 50 = $25.12/hour
Overtime premium: 10 OT hours × ($25.12 × 0.5) = $125.60
Total pay: $1,256 + $125.60 = $1,381.60
Always verify your overtime pay against your pay stub. Miscalculations happen frequently — especially at companies with complex pay structures, shift differentials, or manual payroll processes. Running the numbers yourself takes 5 minutes and could reveal hundreds in unpaid wages.
When comparing jobs, consider the overtime potential. A $22/hour job with regular overtime (10 hours/week at 1.5x) effectively pays the equivalent of $24.38/hour for a 40-hour week — more than a $24/hour job with no overtime opportunity.
Understanding your effective overtime rate helps you make informed decisions about work-life balance. If your overtime rate is $37.50/hour, ask yourself: would I take a side gig for that rate? Is the extra money worth the time away from family, hobbies, and rest?
Convert between hourly, weekly, and annual salary with tax estimates.
Calculate your effective hourly wage including overtime, bonuses, and benefits.
Track your daily work hours and calculate total time with overtime included.