California overtime rules
- Over 8 hours in a workday: 1.5× for the hours from 8 to 12.
- Over 12 hours in a workday: 2× (double time).
- Seventh consecutive day of work in one workweek: 1.5× for the first 8 hours, 2× after 8.
- Over 40 hours in the workweek: 1.5× for the hours not already paid as daily overtime.
How the calculator counts
Each day is counted first: up to 8 hours are regular, 8 to 12 are overtime, over 12 are double time. Then, if the regular hours of the week still add up to more than 40, the extra regular hours move to overtime. No hour is paid as overtime twice.
Example at $20 an hour: 10, 8, 13, 8 and 8 hours (47 in total). Monday has 2 overtime hours, Wednesday has 4 overtime hours and 1 double time hour. That is 40 regular hours ($800), 6 overtime hours at $30 ($180) and 1 double time hour at $40 ($40): $1,020. Under the federal weekly rule the same week would pay $1,010.
Alternative workweek schedules
A work unit can adopt an alternative workweek schedule by secret ballot, such as four 10 hour days. Then daily overtime starts after the scheduled hours instead of after 8, and double time still starts after 12. If you are on one, the daily numbers above will not match your paycheck.
Who is covered
These rules cover most hourly, non-exempt employees. Exempt salaried employees and some industries follow other rules. Questions and wage claims go to the California Labor Commissioner's Office.
Other states
Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, or the federal overtime calculator. This calculator is a helper, not legal advice: rules have exceptions, so check your employer's policy and the state labor department.
Questions
Does California pay overtime after 8 hours a day?
Yes. Hours over 8 in a workday are paid at 1.5 times the regular rate, and hours over 12 at double time, even if the week stays under 40 hours.
When is double time paid in California?
For hours over 12 in a workday, and for hours over 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
Does the seventh day rule apply to any seven days in a row?
No. It applies when you work all seven days of a single workweek. Seven days in a row that span two workweeks do not trigger it.