Overtime Pay in California
State-specific overview · Employment Law
California requires overtime at 1.5× for hours over 8 per day or 40 per week, and 2× for hours over 12 per day.
How California treats Overtime Pay
California has the most stringent overtime rules in the nation. Employees earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours 8–12 in a day and for hours over 40 in a week, and double time for hours over 12 in a day. Employers must also pay double time for all hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a week. These rules apply to most employees and cannot be waived by agreement.
The general definition of Overtime Pay
Compensation at an increased rate for hours worked beyond the standard workweek, typically 1.5 times the regular wage.
Overtime pay is extra compensation that employers must provide when employees work more than a certain number of hours per week, usually 40 hours. Under federal law, overtime must be paid at one and a half times the employee's regular hourly rate (called "time and a half"). Some states require overtime for hours over 8 in a single day or for the seventh consecutive day worked. Certain employees, like managers and salaried professionals, may be exempt from overtime requirements. Employers who fail to pay overtime owe back wages plus penalties.
Read the full Overtime Pay entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in California.