California Overtime Calculator
Minimum wage: $16.90/hour · 1.5× after 8 h/day & 40 h/wk; 2× after 12 h/day · enter your week below and see the exact split.
| Pay type | Hours | Rate | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight time | 40.00 | $20.00/h | $800.00 |
| Overtime (1.5×) | 3.00 | $30.00/h | $90.00 |
Includes 3.00 daily overtime hour(s) past 8 h/day. Hours past 12 h/day are paid at 2×.
California overtime rules at a glance
| Rule | California |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $16.90 per hour |
| Daily overtime | Yes — see rules below |
| Weekly overtime | 1.5× after 40 hours |
| Double time | 2× after 12 hours in a day |
| Authority | Cal. Lab. Code § 510; IWC Wage Orders |
The rules in detail
- 1.5× the regular rate after 8 hours in a workday
- 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek
- 2× after 12 hours in a workday
- 1.5× for the first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday; 2× beyond 8
California has the most protective overtime rules in the country: 1.5× after 8 hours in a day, 1.5× after 40 in a week, and 2× after 12 hours in a day.
Enforcement: California Labor Commissioner (DIR).
Worked example
A Los Angeles warehouse picker working 9, 9, 10, 10, 9 hours (47 total) at $20/hour earns 10 daily overtime hours on top of 7 weekly overtime hours — the calculator above splits it out automatically.
What California employers sometimes get wrong
On the 7th consecutive workday, hours 1–8 earn 1.5× and anything beyond 8 earns 2×. A valid Alternative Workweek Schedule (like 4/10) can shift the daily trigger to 10 hours.
Who is entitled to overtime
Overtime rules protect “non-exempt” employees. The main federal exemptions cover executives, administrators, professionals, outside salespeople and certain computer employees — provided their duties genuinely match the exemption and they clear the salary basis test. Job titles mean nothing: an “assistant manager” who mostly runs a register is still non-exempt in the eyes of the law.
In practice, most hourly workers in California are non-exempt and must receive overtime whenever the rules above trigger. Independent contractors are not covered — but misclassifying an employee as a contractor is one of the most common wage violations.
How to file an overtime claim in California
Check your pay stubs and hours against the calculator above first. If you believe you were shorted, you can file a wage claim with California Labor Commissioner (DIR) or a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (dol.gov/agencies/whd). The FLSA lets you recover unpaid overtime going back two years (three for willful violations), often doubled as liquidated damages.
General information, not legal advice. Verify current rules with the U.S. DOL State Overtime Requirements table and California Labor Commissioner (DIR).
Questions people ask
What are the overtime laws in California?
California has the most protective overtime rules in the country: 1.5× after 8 hours in a day, 1.5× after 40 in a week, and 2× after 12 hours in a day. The practical rule: 1.5× after 8 h/day & 40 h/wk; 2× after 12 h/day. Source: Cal. Lab. Code § 510; IWC Wage Orders.
What is the minimum wage in California?
As of the U.S. Department of Labor's November 5, 2026 table, California's basic minimum rate is $16.90 per hour. The rate may adjust annually and can vary by city or county — check the state labor office for your exact locality.
How is overtime calculated in California?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5 for every overtime hour. California applies triggers beyond the plain federal 40-hour week — the calculator above splits your hours into straight time, 1.5× and 2× automatically.
Do salaried employees get overtime?
Sometimes. A salary alone does not remove overtime rights — the employee must also perform exempt duties and (for the federal white-collar exemptions) clear the salary threshold. If the exemption tests fail, the employee is owed overtime regardless of pay format.
Does California require overtime on weekends or holidays?
Federal FLSA rules do not require premium pay for weekends or holidays unless total weekly hours exceed the overtime threshold. California's daily rules can add premium pay on long days regardless of the day of week.