Calculate Overtime Pay in California
Use the calculator above to determine your overtime pay. California requires overtime pay at 1.5x your regular rate for hours over 40 per week. Daily overtime triggers at 8 hours per day. Double-time pay (2.0x) applies to hours over 12 per day.
California Overtime Rules
California has complex overtime rules: 8 hrs/day triggers OT, 12 hrs/day triggers double-time, 40 hrs/week triggers OT, 7th consecutive day triggers OT. Minimum wage $16.50 (statewide). No exemptions for small businesses.
Minimum Wage & Baseline Pay
California has a minimum wage of $16.50 per hour (effective 2024). This is the baseline for calculating overtime premiums.
Meal Break Requirements
Paid meal breaks required if under 20 minutes. Unpaid break (30 min) if 5+ hours worked. Duty meals count as paid work time.
Common Overtime Scenarios
Tech Employee with 45-Hour Week
Alex works in a tech company in San Francisco earning $50/hour. On Monday, he works 10 hours (2 hours OT at 1.5x). Tuesday-Friday, he works 9 hours each day (1 hour each day at 1.5x). Weekly total: 45 hours. Calculation: 8 regular hours × 5 days = 40 hours at $50 = $2,000. Daily overtime: 2+1+1+1+1 = 6 hours at 1.5x = 6 × $75 = $450. No 7th day worked. Total: $2,450.
Restaurant Server with Meal Break Issues
Sofia works as a server in Los Angeles earning $16 (minimum wage plus tips). She works 8.5 hours, takes only a 15-minute meal break. Under California law: She must be paid for 15 minutes of that break time (since it's under 20 minutes) = $4. She also worked only 0.5 hours over 8, getting overtime: 0.5 × $24 (1.5 × $16) = $12. Her pay before tips: (8.5 × $16) + $4 + $12 = $152.
Retail Employee - 7th Day of Work
Marcus works retail in Los Angeles. On his 7th consecutive workday, even though he's only worked 6 hours that day (well under 8), California law entitles him to overtime pay on all 6 hours since it's his 7th day without a day off. If his rate is $17/hour: 6 hours × $25.50 (1.5 × $17) = $153. This creates an incentive for employers to schedule days off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between regular overtime and double-time in California?
Q: What's the difference between regular overtime and double-time in California?
Overtime (1.5x) applies to: hours 1-8 over 8 per day, hours over 40 per week, or any 7th consecutive day worked. Double-time (2x) applies to: hours over 12 in a single day, or hours over 8 on the 7th consecutive day (whichever is higher). This system incentivizes companies to not work employees excessively on any single day.
I worked 10 hours on Monday. Do I get overtime pay?
Q: I worked 10 hours on Monday. Do I get overtime pay?
Yes, immediately. The 2 hours beyond 8 are compensated at 1.5x your regular rate, even if you don't reach 40 hours for the week. This is California's daily overtime protection, which is unique among states.
My employer says I'm exempt from overtime. How can I verify this?
Q: My employer says I'm exempt from overtime. How can I verify this?
Check the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) website for exemption criteria. In general, exempt employees (executives, professionals, administrators) must earn a minimum salary and spend more than 50% of their time in exempt duties. If you're in doubt, file a wage claim. The burden of proof is on your employer to prove you're exempt.
What's the statute of limitations for claiming unpaid overtime?
Q: What's the statute of limitations for claiming unpaid overtime?
In California, you generally have 3 years to file a lawsuit for unpaid wages, or 4 years if there's written commitment (like a contract). For administrative complaints with the California Department of Industrial Relations, you typically have 1 year. Act quickly if you believe you're owed wages.
Do I get paid for my meal break if I work through it?
Q: Do I get paid for my meal break if I work through it?
Yes. If you work during meal time or can't take a true meal break away from your workstation, that time must be compensated at your regular rate (not overtime rate, unless the total hours trigger overtime). Employers cannot force you to skip meal breaks.
Official Resources
For official information, consult these authoritative sources:
- https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse
- https://www.labor.ca.gov
Last verified: June 30, 2026