Overtime Pay Calculator — Estimate Unpaid Overtime Owed
Calculate overtime pay owed for hours worked beyond your standard threshold. Enter your hourly rate, total hours worked, and overtime multiplier for an instant estimate — covers time-and-a-half (1.5×) and double time (2×).
Formula: Overtime pay = overtime hours × (hourly rate × multiplier). Example: 5 overtime hours at $20/hr × 1.5 = $150 owed. California daily overtime starts after 8 hours/day, not just 40/week.
On this page: Calculator · How it works · Who qualifies · Daily overtime · Unpaid overtime recovery · FAQ
Related help: Overtime pay laws & back pay rules · Back pay calculator · Unpaid wages calculator
Overtime Hours: 0
Estimated Overtime Pay Owed: $0.00
How to Calculate Overtime Pay Owed
This overtime calculator helps employees estimate additional wages owed when working beyond standard hours in a single pay period. It is designed for workers who want to double-check paycheck accuracy or identify unpaid overtime.
Enter your hourly pay rate, total hours worked, the standard hours before overtime (commonly 40 per week), and an overtime multiplier (commonly 1.5). The calculator estimates overtime hours and overtime pay owed based on the inputs. Multipliers and overtime thresholds can vary by jurisdiction and employer policy.
This tool is commonly used by hourly workers, contractors, and payroll reviewers in the United States and Canada to spot underpayments before raising a payroll dispute or filing a wage claim. For filing deadlines and overtime recovery rules, see overtime pay laws and back pay rules.
Daily Overtime vs Weekly Overtime (Why Results May Differ)
Some overtime rules are based on a weekly threshold (for example, overtime after 40 hours), while other rules can include daily overtime (overtime after a set number of hours in a day) or higher multipliers (sometimes called “double time”). This calculator uses the threshold and multiplier you enter, so it’s a general estimate only.
If overtime is part of a broader underpayment issue across multiple pay periods, use the Back Pay Calculator to total amounts.
Who Qualifies for Overtime Pay?
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most hourly employees and non-exempt salaried employees are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Key eligibility rules:
- Non-exempt hourly workers: Entitled to overtime for all hours over 40/week
- Non-exempt salaried workers: Employees earning under the FLSA salary threshold ($684/week as of 2024) are generally non-exempt and overtime-eligible
- Exempt employees: Executive, administrative, professional, and certain computer/outside sales roles may be exempt — meaning no federal overtime requirement applies
- Independent contractors: Not covered by FLSA overtime rules, though misclassification is common — see the Misclassification Cost Calculator
State laws can be more generous than federal rules. California requires overtime after 8 hours in a single day (not just 40/week) and double time after 12 hours. Always check your state's overtime rules in addition to federal requirements.
What to Do If Your Employer Didn't Pay Overtime
If this calculator shows overtime pay owed that doesn't match your paycheck, your employer may have underpaid you. Common reasons overtime goes unpaid:
- Misclassified as exempt: Labeled as salaried/exempt to avoid overtime requirements
- Off-the-clock work: Pre-shift setup, post-shift closing, or required training counted outside paid hours
- Averaged hours: Hours spread across a two-week period to stay under 40/week when they should be calculated weekly
- Wrong rate used: Overtime calculated on base pay only, excluding bonuses or shift differentials that should be included in the regular rate
To calculate unpaid overtime across multiple pay periods, use the Back Pay Calculator — enter the difference in hours per period and your overtime rate. For federal and state filing deadlines, see overtime back pay laws.
Under the FLSA, unpaid overtime claims can recover up to 2–3 years of back wages plus an equal amount in liquidated damages — effectively doubling your recovery. Time limits apply, so act promptly if you believe overtime was withheld.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is overtime pay?
Overtime pay is additional compensation earned when an employee works more than a standard number of hours in a workweek. In many jurisdictions, overtime is paid at a higher rate than regular wages, often referred to as a multiplier.
How is overtime pay calculated?
Overtime pay is typically calculated by multiplying overtime hours by an overtime rate. The overtime rate is often your regular hourly rate multiplied by a set multiplier, such as 1.5 or 2.0, depending on the rules that apply.
What is an overtime multiplier?
An overtime multiplier determines how much extra you earn for overtime hours. A multiplier of 1.5 means you earn one and a half times your normal hourly rate. Some employers or laws require higher multipliers in certain situations.
After how many hours does overtime start?
Overtime commonly starts after 40 hours worked in a single workweek, but this can vary by country, province, state, or employment agreement. Some regions also require daily overtime after a set number of hours.
Who is eligible for overtime pay?
Many hourly and non-exempt salaried employees are eligible for overtime pay. Certain roles, such as management or professional positions, may be exempt depending on labor laws and job duties.
Is overtime pay taxed differently?
Overtime pay is generally taxed the same as regular wages. It may appear more heavily taxed on a paycheck because higher earnings can result in higher withholding for that pay period.
What if my employer did not pay overtime?
If overtime was not properly paid, it is considered unpaid wages. Common causes include misclassification as exempt, off-the-clock work, averaged hours, or overtime calculated at the wrong rate. Under the FLSA, you can recover up to 2–3 years of unpaid overtime plus liquidated damages equal to the back pay amount — effectively doubling your recovery. Use the Back Pay Calculator to estimate totals across multiple pay periods.
Is this overtime pay calculator legally accurate?
This overtime pay calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. It does not account for all labor laws, exemptions, or employer-specific policies and should not be considered legal advice.
If your situation involves more than overtime, browse our full list of wage calculators.