Overtime Pay Calculator - Calculate Time-and-a-Half, Double & Triple Time

Whether you're a healthcare worker picking up weekend shifts, a retail employee working holidays, or simply planning your next pay period, this overtime pay calculator helps you understand exactly what you'll earn. Calculate your total compensation across different overtime rates—including time-and-a-half, double-time, and triple-time—to see the complete picture of your earnings.

This calculator automatically computes your overtime rates based on your standard hourly pay and breaks down your total earnings by each rate tier. Whether your employer pays premium rates for weekends, holidays, or extended shifts, you can quickly see how those extra hours translate into real dollars in your paycheck.

Overtime pay is compensation you receive for hours worked beyond your standard work schedule, typically paid at higher rates than your regular hourly wage. Understanding these different rate tiers helps you make informed decisions about when and how much to work.

Time-and-a-Half (1.5× Pay) This is the most common overtime rate, typically paid for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek under federal law. If you earn $20 per hour, your time-and-a-half rate would be $30 per hour. This is the standard overtime rate required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for eligible employees.

Double-Time (2× Pay) Double-time means you earn twice your standard hourly rate. For a $20/hour worker, that's $40/hour. Many employers pay double-time for holidays, seventh consecutive workday, or hours beyond a certain daily threshold (common in states like California).

Triple-Time (3× Pay) Triple-time is the premium rate, paying three times your standard wage. While less common, some union contracts or employer policies provide triple-time for specific circumstances like working major holidays or exceeding certain hour thresholds. At $20/hour standard, you'd earn $60/hour at triple-time.

The good news is that overtime pay can significantly boost your income—especially when you're working at premium double or triple-time rates. A single holiday shift at double-time can sometimes equal two regular days of work.

Calculating overtime is straightforward once you understand the formula. The calculator handles all the math, but here's how it works behind the scenes:

Step 1: Determine Your Overtime Rate

• Time-and-a-half: Standard hourly rate × 1.5
• Double-time: Standard hourly rate × 2
• Triple-time: Standard hourly rate × 3

Step 2: Calculate Pay for Each Rate Tier

• Multiply overtime hours by the applicable rate
• Add standard hours pay to all overtime pay

Step 3: Sum All Components

• Total earnings = (standard hours × standard rate) + (overtime hours × overtime rate)

Practical Example:

Let's say you earn $18 per hour and worked the following in a week:

• 40 standard hours
• 8 hours at time-and-a-half (weekend)
• 4 hours at double-time (holiday)

Calculation:

• Standard pay: 40 hours × $18 = $720
• Time-and-a-half pay: 8 hours × $27 = $216
• Double-time pay: 4 hours × $36 = $144
• Total earnings: $1,080

That's $360 in overtime pay on top of your $720 base—nearly a 50% boost to your weekly earnings for 12 extra hours of work.

Using this overtime calculator is simple and gives you instant results:

1. Enter Your Standard Pay Rate Input your regular hourly wage in the first field. The calculator automatically computes your time-and-a-half, double-time, and triple-time rates based on this number.

2. Input Hours Worked at Each Rate Enter the number of hours you worked at each pay tier:

• Standard hours (your regular hourly rate)
• Time-and-a-half hours
• Double-time hours
• Triple-time hours

3. View Your Complete Earnings Breakdown The calculator instantly displays your total pay for each rate tier and your combined total earnings. This breakdown helps you see exactly how much value each overtime tier contributes to your paycheck.

Pro Tip: If you only work one type of overtime (for example, just time-and-a-half), simply enter "0" for the other overtime categories. The calculator is flexible to handle any combination of rates.

Understanding when different overtime rates apply helps you plan your schedule and maximize your earnings. Here are the most common situations where you'll encounter premium pay:

Weekend and Holiday Overtime Many employers pay time-and-a-half for weekend work, with double-time reserved for major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year's Day. Healthcare workers and first responders often see these premium rates for weekend and holiday shifts.

Healthcare Shift Differentials Nurses and hospital staff frequently earn time-and-a-half for working evenings or weekends, with double-time for holidays. A 12-hour holiday shift can deliver substantial earnings—especially when you're already working at higher base rates.

Manufacturing and Retail Factories and retail stores commonly pay time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in a week. During busy seasons (like holidays), some retailers offer double-time to incentivize workers to cover peak shopping periods.

California Daily Overtime California has unique overtime rules: time-and-a-half for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week, and double-time for hours over 12 in a single day or over 8 on the seventh consecutive workday. This means California workers can earn premium rates even if they haven't reached 40 hours for the week.

Construction and Union Contracts Many union agreements specify premium rates for specific circumstances. Construction workers might earn double-time on Sundays or triple-time on major holidays, depending on their collective bargaining agreement.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes the federal baseline for overtime pay in the United States. Understanding these rules helps you know your rights as an employee.

Who Qualifies for Overtime? The FLSA requires employers to pay overtime (time-and-a-half) to non-exempt employees for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Most hourly workers are non-exempt and entitled to overtime pay.

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees Exempt employees—typically salaried workers in executive, professional, or administrative roles earning above certain thresholds—are not entitled to overtime under FLSA. However, simply being paid a salary doesn't automatically make you exempt. Your job duties and salary level must meet specific criteria.

The 40-Hour Threshold Federal law uses a workweek (seven consecutive days) as the basis for overtime calculation. Hours over 40 in that period must be paid at time-and-a-half, regardless of how many hours you work in a single day.

State Laws May Be More Generous Some states have stricter overtime requirements than federal law. California, Alaska, and Nevada, for example, require daily overtime in addition to weekly overtime. Always check your state's labor laws to understand your full overtime entitlements.

Remember to consult with your HR department or a labor law professional if you have questions about your specific overtime eligibility. Your employer's policies and your employment contract may provide additional overtime benefits beyond the legal minimum.

If you're looking to increase your income through overtime work, here are practical strategies to make the most of those extra hours:

Understand Your Employer's Overtime Policy Review your employee handbook or speak with HR to learn when premium rates apply. Knowing which shifts qualify for double-time or triple-time helps you prioritize the most valuable hours.

Track Your Hours Accurately Keep personal records of your hours worked, including start and end times. This ensures you're paid correctly and gives you documentation if discrepancies arise. Even small errors in overtime calculations can add up over time.

Plan Strategically Around Peak Periods If your employer offers higher rates during busy seasons or for specific shifts, coordinate with your manager to work those premium hours. Healthcare workers, for example, might prioritize holiday shifts when double-time is available.

Know Your Limits While overtime can boost your income significantly, remember that working excessive hours can lead to burnout and reduced productivity. Balance your earning goals with your health and personal time. The extra money is rewarding, but sustainable work habits matter more in the long run.

Consider the Tax Implications Overtime earnings are taxed at your regular income tax rate, which might push you into a higher bracket temporarily. While this doesn't mean overtime isn't worthwhile, it's helpful to understand that your take-home pay might be proportionally less than your gross overtime earnings.