Kentucky Overtime Calculator
1.5× after 40 h/wk + 7th-day premium · 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 |
Weekly overtime past 40 h/week only — Kentucky has no general daily overtime rule. Weekly overtime applied to 3.00 additional hour(s).
Kentucky overtime rules at a glance
| Rule | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Daily overtime | No general daily threshold; weekly rules only |
| Weekly overtime | 1.5× after 40 hours |
| Double time | Not required by state law (employer policy may add it) |
| Authority | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.285; KRS § 337.050 |
The rules in detail
- 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek
- Premium pay generally due for work on the 7th consecutive day in a workweek (KRS 337.050)
Kentucky requires 1.5× after 40 hours a week and adds a seventh-consecutive-day premium for many workers.
Enforcement: Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Worked example
A Louisville warehouse worker with a 38-hour week spread over 7 straight days can still be owed premium pay for the seventh day despite being under 40 hours.
What Kentucky employers sometimes get wrong
Under KRS 337.050, employees who work all seven days in a workweek are generally owed premium pay for the seventh day — a rule most states don't have.
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Check your pay stubs and hours against the calculator above first. If you believe you were shorted, you can file a wage claim with Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet 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 Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Questions people ask
What are the overtime laws in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires 1.5× after 40 hours a week and adds a seventh-consecutive-day premium for many workers. The practical rule: 1.5× after 40 h/wk + 7th-day premium. Source: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.285; KRS § 337.050.
How is overtime calculated in Kentucky?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5 for every overtime hour. For example, at $20/hour a 45-hour week pays 40 × $20 + 5 × $30 = $950.
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 Kentucky 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. Some state or employer policies may be more generous.