Overtime Pay in Kentucky
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Kentucky adopts the federal FLSA standard: overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours exceeding 40 per week.
How Kentucky treats Overtime Pay
Kentucky has no independent overtime statute and relies entirely on federal FLSA standards for private-sector employees. Employers must pay overtime at the rate of 1.5 times the employee's regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The same federal exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional roles apply. Kentucky employers must keep detailed payroll records documenting hours and compensation.
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 Kentucky.