For covered, nonexempt U.S. employees, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act generally requires at least 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. At a $20 regular hourly rate and 46 qualifying hours, six overtime hours add $180 of overtime pay, but exemption status, the workweek, regular-rate components, and state law must be checked first.
What overtime pay time and a half means
Overtime pay is an additional pay requirement for qualifying hours over the applicable threshold, calculated from the employee's regular rate under the governing rule. An overtime calculator applies entered hours and a rate; this guide identifies the legal and payroll facts that decide whether the simple time-and-a-half equation applies.
| Regular rate | $20 per hour |
|---|---|
| Workweek hours | 46 hours |
| Overtime hours | 6 hours |
| Overtime rate | $30 per hour |
| Illustrated gross pay | $980 |
Overtime pay: when does time-and-a-half apply and what must be checked?: worked example
An hourly nonexempt employee works 46 hours in one workweek at a $20 regular rate. Straight-time pay for 40 hours is $800. Six qualifying overtime hours at $30 are $180, for $980 total before deductions. The arithmetic changes if the stated hourly figure is not the legal regular rate, if a bonus must be included, or if a state rule gives a higher standard.
How to calculate overtime pay time and a half
Confirm jurisdiction, coverage, nonexempt status, defined workweek, all hours worked, and the regular-rate inputs. In the simplest hourly case, overtime premium pay = overtime hours times 1.5 times regular hourly rate. Keep the ordinary hourly pay and any extra premium distinct.
Use the relevant inputs with these related Calculatort pages: overtime calculator · hourly pay conversion · paycheck estimate.
Check the overtime pay time and a half inputs before deciding
workweek review 1. A workweek record reads regular rate at $20 per hour with workweek hours at 46 hours, then asks whether the regular-rate record uses the same period and unit. The nonexempt status is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the workweek evidence with the regular-rate record record before revising this result.
regular-rate record review 2. A regular-rate record record reads workweek hours at 46 hours with overtime hours at 6 hours, then asks whether the nonexempt status uses the same period and unit. The hours-worked log is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the regular-rate record evidence with the nonexempt status record before revising this result.
nonexempt status review 3. A nonexempt status record reads overtime hours at 6 hours with overtime rate at $30 per hour, then asks whether the hours-worked log uses the same period and unit. The state standard is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the nonexempt status evidence with the hours-worked log record before revising this result.
hours-worked log review 4. A hours-worked log record reads overtime rate at $30 per hour with illustrated gross pay at $980, then asks whether the state standard uses the same period and unit. The premium calculation is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the hours-worked log evidence with the state standard record before revising this result.
state standard review 5. A state standard record reads illustrated gross pay at $980 with regular rate at $20 per hour, then asks whether the premium calculation uses the same period and unit. The timecard is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the state standard evidence with the premium calculation record before revising this result.
premium calculation review 6. A premium calculation record reads regular rate at $20 per hour with workweek hours at 46 hours, then asks whether the timecard uses the same period and unit. The salary arrangement is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the premium calculation evidence with the timecard record before revising this result.
timecard review 7. A timecard record reads workweek hours at 46 hours with overtime hours at 6 hours, then asks whether the salary arrangement uses the same period and unit. The bonus inclusion is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the timecard evidence with the salary arrangement record before revising this result.
salary arrangement review 8. A salary arrangement record reads overtime hours at 6 hours with overtime rate at $30 per hour, then asks whether the bonus inclusion uses the same period and unit. The weekly threshold is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the salary arrangement evidence with the bonus inclusion record before revising this result.
bonus inclusion review 9. A bonus inclusion record reads overtime rate at $30 per hour with illustrated gross pay at $980, then asks whether the weekly threshold uses the same period and unit. The covered role is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the bonus inclusion evidence with the weekly threshold record before revising this result.
weekly threshold review 10. A weekly threshold record reads illustrated gross pay at $980 with regular rate at $20 per hour, then asks whether the covered role uses the same period and unit. The payroll correction is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the weekly threshold evidence with the covered role record before revising this result.
covered role review 11. A covered role record reads regular rate at $20 per hour with workweek hours at 46 hours, then asks whether the payroll correction uses the same period and unit. The workweek is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the covered role evidence with the payroll correction record before revising this result.
payroll correction review 12. A payroll correction record reads workweek hours at 46 hours with overtime hours at 6 hours, then asks whether the workweek uses the same period and unit. The regular-rate record is the evidence that turns this illustration into a decision record: it can confirm the input, expose an omitted cost or rule, or show that the comparison does not apply. Keep the payroll correction evidence with the workweek record before revising this result.
Common mistakes
Do not average 46 hours in one week with 34 in the next, assume salaried status always means exempt, treat weekend work as federal overtime without looking at weekly hours, or ignore a state rule that is more protective.
Where this calculation stops
Public-sector work, specific occupations, collective agreements, fluctuating-workweek arrangements, bonuses, commissions, and state laws can require another calculation. A pay stub and local labor authority are needed for a real claim.
Source and verification
The U.S. Department of Labor states that covered, nonexempt employees generally receive at least one and one-half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek and that a higher state standard can apply. Read the named source. Verify the source date and the controlling statement, agreement, payroll record, or accounting record before relying on the illustrated result.