Overtime Pay Calculator — Estimate Unpaid Overtime Owed
Estimate overtime pay for one simple threshold scenario. Enter the regular hourly rate, total hours for that calculation, the overtime threshold, and the multiplier.
Formula: overtime hours × (hourly rate × multiplier). Example: 5 overtime hours at $20/hr × 1.5 = $150. For daily-overtime jurisdictions, calculate the relevant day separately rather than applying a daily threshold to an entire week's hours.
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
This calculator uses a single threshold and multiplier: overtime hours = total hours entered − standard-hours threshold, then overtime pay = overtime hours × hourly rate × multiplier.
For a basic federal FLSA example, a covered nonexempt employee who works 45 hours in a workweek at a $20 regular rate would enter 45 total hours, 40 standard hours, and 1.5. The estimate for the 5 overtime hours is $150.
Scope: the tool assumes the hourly rate you enter is the correct regular rate for the overtime calculation. Bonuses, commissions, shift differentials, multiple rates, exemptions, daily overtime, and alternative workweeks can require more detailed calculations.
Official federal reference: U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #23 — Overtime Pay.
Daily Overtime vs Weekly Overtime
Working in California? Use the California Overtime Calculator for the state's daily 1.5×, double-time, weekly, and seventh-consecutive-day rules.
The standard federal FLSA rule generally requires at least 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek for covered nonexempt employees. Some states add daily overtime.
California example: general California rules can require overtime after 8 hours in a workday and double time after 12, but valid alternative workweek schedules and other exceptions can change those thresholds.
Important calculator limitation: if you are estimating California daily overtime, enter one day's hours with the daily threshold. Do not enter an entire week's total and set the threshold to 8; that would treat nearly the whole week as daily overtime.
See California overtime rules for the general daily/weekly framework and exceptions.
Who Qualifies for Overtime Pay?
Under the federal FLSA, covered nonexempt employees generally receive at least 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
- Hourly status alone does not decide coverage. Many hourly employees are nonexempt, but specific exemptions and exclusions exist.
- Salaried does not automatically mean exempt. The executive, administrative, and professional exemptions generally require both salary and duties tests.
- Current federal salary level: the U.S. Department of Labor currently lists $684/week for the standard EAP salary-level test, with exceptions for certain occupations.
- Misclassification matters: a worker labeled exempt or independent contractor may still need to evaluate actual duties and legal status.
Official references: U.S. DOL Fact Sheet #17A · Current salary levels.
What to Do If Overtime Was Not Paid
Compare the hours, workweek, regular rate, and overtime rate on the pay records. Common issues include:
- Off-the-clock work omitted from total hours.
- Hours averaged across two workweeks rather than evaluating each workweek separately under federal rules.
- Wrong regular rate when compensation that should be included in the regular rate was omitted.
- Misclassification as exempt or as an independent contractor.
For federal FLSA claims, the U.S. Department of Labor states that back wages plus an equal amount as liquidated damages may be available. A two-year limitation period generally applies, extended to three years for willful violations.
For multiple pay periods, calculate each distinct rate/threshold scenario separately before totaling the amounts with the Back Pay Calculator.
Official reference: U.S. DOL — Back Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate overtime pay?
For a simple threshold scenario, subtract the standard-hours threshold from total hours, then multiply the overtime hours by the regular hourly rate and overtime multiplier. Under the federal FLSA, covered nonexempt employees generally receive at least 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
What is an overtime multiplier?
A multiplier expresses the overtime rate relative to the regular rate. A 1.5 multiplier means time-and-a-half; 2.0 means double time where that rate applies.
After how many hours does overtime start?
Under the federal FLSA, the general threshold is over 40 hours in a workweek for covered nonexempt employees. State law can add daily or other overtime rules.
Can I use this calculator for California daily overtime?
Only as a simplified day-by-day calculation. Enter one day's hours with the applicable daily threshold. Do not enter a whole week's hours with an 8-hour threshold. California alternative workweek schedules and other exceptions can also change the result.
Are salaried employees always exempt from overtime?
No. Federal executive, administrative, and professional exemptions generally require both compensation and duties tests. The current standard federal salary-level test is $684 per week, with exceptions for certain occupations.
What if my employer did not pay overtime?
Keep time and pay records and identify the workweeks, hours, and regular rate involved. Federal FLSA remedies can include back wages plus an equal amount as liquidated damages, subject to filing deadlines; state rules can differ.
Is overtime taxed differently from regular wages?
Overtime is wage compensation. Withholding on a particular paycheck can differ because gross earnings are higher, but this calculator does not estimate taxes or withholding.
Is this overtime pay calculator legally accurate?
It is a simplified mathematical estimator. It does not determine exemption status, the legal regular rate, daily-overtime rules, alternative workweek rules, damages, penalties, or filing deadlines.
If your situation involves more than overtime, browse our full list of wage calculators.