To calculate overtime pay, multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that overtime rate by the number of overtime hours you worked.
TL;DR: Overtime rate = hourly rate × 1.5. Weekly gross = regular pay + overtime pay. Run your own numbers in the overtime pay calculator.
The time and a half rule
“Time and a half” means 1.5 times your normal rate. If you earn $18 an hour, your overtime rate is $18 × 1.5 = $27 an hour. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most hourly workers earn this rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek.
Here is a full week. Say you earn $20 an hour and work 50 hours.
- Regular pay: 40 hours × $20 = $800
- Overtime pay: 10 hours × ($20 × 1.5) = 10 × $30 = $300
- Weekly gross: $800 + $300 = $1,100
Some shifts pay double time, which is 2.0 times the base rate. At $20 an hour, double time is $40 per hour. Double time is usually set by your employer or union contract, not by federal law.
Working backward from a target
Sometimes you want to know how many overtime hours you need to hit an extra dollar amount. At $20 an hour, each overtime hour pays $30. To earn an extra $200, divide: $200 ÷ $30 = 6.67 hours. So about 6 hours and 40 minutes of overtime gets you there.
The overtime pay calculator handles both directions, including double time and mixed weeks.
A note on taxes
Every figure above is gross pay, meaning the amount before taxes and other deductions come out. The number that lands in your bank account will be lower. This guide is a payroll estimate, not tax advice. Check your actual pay stub or talk to a tax professional for your specific situation.