Overtime Pay Calculator
Calculate how much you earn for hours worked beyond your regular schedule using your hourly rate and overtime multiplier. Essential for shift workers, managers tracking payroll, or anyone verifying their overtime paycheck.
About this calculator
Overtime pay is calculated by multiplying your regular hourly rate by the number of overtime hours worked and then by an overtime multiplier. The formula is: overtime pay = hourly × overtime_hours × multiplier. In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) typically requires a multiplier of 1.5 (time-and-a-half) for hours beyond 40 per week, though some employers or contracts offer double time (2.0). The multiplier reflects the premium paid on top of your standard rate for extra hours. This calculator isolates only the overtime portion of your pay; add your regular earnings separately to get total weekly compensation. Always verify the multiplier your employer uses, as it may vary by industry, contract, or jurisdiction.
How to use
Say your regular hourly rate is $18 and you worked 8 hours of overtime this week at the standard 1.5× multiplier. Step 1: Identify inputs — hourly = $18, overtime_hours = 8, multiplier = 1.5. Step 2: Apply the formula — $18 × 8 × 1.5 = $216. Your overtime pay for the week is $216. If your employer offers double time (multiplier = 2.0), the same 8 hours would yield $18 × 8 × 2.0 = $288 instead.
Frequently asked questions
How is overtime pay calculated using a multiplier?
Overtime pay equals your regular hourly rate multiplied by the overtime hours worked and then multiplied by the overtime multiplier. The most common multiplier in the US is 1.5, meaning you earn 50% more than your normal rate for each overtime hour. Some contracts or roles use a 2.0 multiplier for holidays or excessive hours. Simply plug your numbers into: overtime pay = hourly × overtime_hours × multiplier to find your extra earnings.
What is the standard overtime multiplier and when does double time apply?
The standard overtime multiplier under US federal law (FLSA) is 1.5, often called time-and-a-half, for any hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. Double time (a multiplier of 2.0) is not federally mandated but is common in industries like healthcare, construction, and entertainment, or when working on holidays. Some states, such as California, have additional rules requiring double time after 12 hours in a single day. Always check your employment contract and local labor laws to confirm the multiplier that applies to you.
Why does overtime pay only cover the extra hours and not my full weekly earnings?
Overtime pay calculations specifically address the premium you earn for hours exceeding the standard threshold, not your total weekly compensation. Your regular hours are already accounted for in your base weekly pay. The overtime formula isolates just the additional cost or earnings attributable to those extra hours at the premium rate. To find total weekly pay, add your regular earnings (hourly × regular hours) to your overtime pay from this calculator.