What Is Time and a Half?
By Atharv · Updated October 24, 2026
Time and a half means being paid 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for qualifying overtime hours. If you normally earn $20 an hour, overtime hours pay $30. The math is simple; knowing exactly which hours qualify is where people get tripped up.
When Time and a Half Applies
- Over 40 hours in a workweek: the standard federal rule for hourly (non-exempt) employees.
- Over 8 hours in a day: added by some states, most prominently California.
- Weekends and holidays: not automatically. Premium pay for these is an employer benefit, not a general legal requirement, unless the hours push you past a threshold above.
How to Calculate It
Overtime rate = regular hourly rate × 1.5
Overtime pay = overtime rate × overtime hours
Example: you earn $18 per hour and work 46 hours in a week. The first 40 hours pay $18 × 40 = $720. The 6 overtime hours pay $27 × 6 = $162. Total for the week: $882.
Time and a Half Pay Chart
| Regular rate | Time and a half | 8 OT hours pay | Double time |
|---|---|---|---|
| $12.00 | $18.00 | $144.00 | $24.00 |
| $13.00 | $19.50 | $156.00 | $26.00 |
| $14.00 | $21.00 | $168.00 | $28.00 |
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $180.00 | $30.00 |
| $16.00 | $24.00 | $192.00 | $32.00 |
| $17.00 | $25.50 | $204.00 | $34.00 |
| $18.00 | $27.00 | $216.00 | $36.00 |
| $19.00 | $28.50 | $228.00 | $38.00 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $240.00 | $40.00 |
| $22.00 | $33.00 | $264.00 | $44.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $300.00 | $50.00 |
| $28.00 | $42.00 | $336.00 | $56.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $360.00 | $60.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 | $420.00 | $70.00 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 | $480.00 | $80.00 |
State Rules That Go Beyond Federal Law
Most states follow the federal 40-hour weekly rule. A few add a daily threshold or double time, and when state and federal law differ, the rule that pays the employee more applies.
| Jurisdiction | Time and a half (1.5×) | Double time (2×) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (FLSA) | Over 40 hours in a workweek | No federal double time |
| California | Over 8 hours in a day, over 40 in a week, and the first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday | Over 12 hours in a day, and over 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday |
| Alaska | Over 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week (employers with 4 or more employees) | None |
| Nevada | Over 8 hours in a 24-hour period for employees earning under 1.5× the state minimum wage, or over 40 in a week | None |
| Colorado | Over 12 hours in a workday, 12 consecutive hours, or 40 in a week | None |
A simplified summary; exemptions and industry rules apply. Check your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's state overtime page for the current rules where you work.
What Counts in Your "Regular Rate"
Time and a half is 1.5 times your regular rate, which can be higher than your hourly wage. Under federal law it includes shift differentials, commissions, and non-discretionary bonuses (ones promised in advance, like production or attendance bonuses). It excludes discretionary bonuses, gifts, expense reimbursements, and pay for time not worked such as vacation.
Example: $18 an hour, 46 hours, $46 production bonus
Straight-time pay is 46 × $18 = $828, plus the $46 bonus = $874. Regular rate: $874 ÷ 46 = $19.00. The 6 overtime hours earn an extra half of that: 6 × $9.50 = $57. Total pay: $931, $3 more than ignoring the bonus in the overtime math.
Who Doesn't Get Time and a Half
- Exempt employees: salaried staff who meet both the federal salary threshold and the duties test for executive, administrative, or professional work.
- Independent contractors, who are not employees under the FLSA.
- Certain specific roles, such as outside sales and some agricultural and transportation jobs, under their own rules.
Being paid a salary alone does not make you exempt. If your duties don't meet the test, overtime is still owed.
Skip the Math Entirely
Our free overtime calculator splits your week into regular and overtime hours automatically, using weekly or daily rules, and shows total pay at your rate, with overtime at 1.5× and optional double time built in. For the two-week version, use the bi-weekly calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time and a half for $20 an hour?
$30 per hour. Multiply your regular rate by 1.5: $20 × 1.5 = $30 for every overtime hour worked.
When do I get time and a half?
The standard rule is for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states also require it for hours over 8 in a single day. Weekend or holiday work does not automatically qualify unless it pushes you over those thresholds or your employer's policy says so.
Is holiday pay time and a half?
Not automatically. Federal law does not require premium pay just because a day is a holiday. Many employers offer it as a benefit, so check your company's policy.
What is double time?
Double time is 2 times your regular rate. Federal law never requires it, but California does for hours over 12 in a day and over 8 on the seventh consecutive workday. Some employers also offer it for holidays by policy.
Do salaried employees get time and a half?
Only if they are non-exempt. Salaried employees who meet the federal salary and job-duties tests for executive, administrative, or professional roles are exempt from overtime. A salaried employee who fails either test is owed time and a half for hours over 40.
Do bonuses change my overtime rate?
Non-discretionary bonuses, such as production or attendance bonuses, must be added to your regular rate before overtime is calculated, which raises your overtime pay. Discretionary bonuses and gifts do not.
Does PTO count toward overtime?
Generally no. Overtime is based on hours actually worked, so a week with 32 worked hours plus 8 hours of PTO is typically 40 hours of pay with no overtime.
Written by Atharv
Solo maker of My Time Card Calculator, a set of free, private tools for tracking work hours, breaks, overtime, and pay. More about this site.