Overtime Pay
In one sentence
Compensation at an increased rate for hours worked beyond the standard workweek, typically 1.5 times the regular wage.
Plain English
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.
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Example
A warehouse worker regularly works 45 hours per week at $15 per hour. For the five hours over 40, the employer must pay $22.50 per hour (1.5 times $15) instead of the regular $15. If the employer fails to do so, the worker can sue for unpaid overtime.
Used in a sentence
“The company was ordered to pay overtime pay to all hourly employees who worked more than 40 hours per week.”
How Overtime Pay differs by state
Overtime Pay can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
Alabama follows federal overtime rules; state law does not mandate additional overtime pay requirements.
Alaska
Alaska requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 8 per day or 40 per week.
Arizona
Arizona requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week; no daily overtime threshold.
Arkansas
Arkansas follows federal overtime rules; state law does not mandate additional overtime pay requirements.
California
California requires overtime at 1.5× for hours over 8 per day or 40 per week, and 2× for hours over 12 per day.
Colorado
Colorado requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours over 40 per week.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, with no daily overtime threshold.
Delaware
Delaware requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, matching federal standards.
Florida
Florida requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, with no state-specific enhancements.
Georgia
Georgia requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, following federal FLSA standards.
Hawaii
Hawaii requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular wage for hours over 40 per week, with no daily overtime threshold.
Idaho
Idaho follows federal overtime rules: 1.5 times regular wage for hours over 40 per week, with no state-specific daily threshold.
Illinois
Illinois requires 1.5 times regular wage for hours over 40 per week; no daily overtime threshold applies.
Indiana
Indiana applies federal overtime rules: 1.5 times regular wage for hours over 40 per week, with no state daily overtime rule.
Iowa
Iowa requires 1.5 times regular wage for hours over 40 per week; state law does not impose additional daily overtime.
Kansas
Kansas follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act minimum; employers must pay 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week.
Kentucky
Kentucky adopts the federal FLSA standard: overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours exceeding 40 per week.
Louisiana
Louisiana follows federal FLSA rules; employers pay 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, with no stricter state requirement.
Maine
Maine requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, matching federal law with limited state-specific additions.
Maryland
Maryland follows federal FLSA standards: 1.5 times regular pay for hours over 40 per week, with no stricter state overtime mandate.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week.
Michigan
Michigan requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours exceeding 40 per week.
Minnesota
Minnesota requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week.
Mississippi
Mississippi has no state-specific overtime law and follows federal Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.
Missouri
Missouri has no state-specific overtime law and follows federal Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.
Montana
Montana requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular wage for hours exceeding 40 per week.
Nebraska
Nebraska follows federal FLSA standards, requiring 1.5 times regular pay for hours over 40 per week.
Nevada
Nevada requires 1.5 times regular pay for hours over 8 per day or 40 per week, whichever is greater.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire follows federal FLSA overtime standards without imposing additional state-level overtime requirements.
New Jersey
New Jersey follows federal FLSA overtime standards of 1.5 times pay for hours over 40 per week.
New Mexico
New Mexico requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week.
New York
New York requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 weekly, with higher rates for certain industries.
North Carolina
North Carolina follows federal overtime rules: 1.5 times regular pay for hours over 40 per week.
North Dakota
North Dakota follows federal overtime standards: 1.5 times regular pay for hours exceeding 40 per week.
Ohio
Ohio follows federal overtime law: 1.5 times regular pay for hours over 40 per week.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma follows federal overtime rules: time-and-a-half for hours over 40 per week.
Oregon
Oregon requires overtime pay for hours over 10 daily or 40 weekly, whichever triggers first.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania follows federal overtime rules with no additional state-level overtime mandate.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires overtime pay for hours over 40 weekly at 1.5 times regular rate.
South Carolina
South Carolina follows federal overtime rules with no additional state overtime protections.
South Dakota
South Dakota follows federal overtime rules with no state-specific premium pay requirement beyond the FLSA.
Tennessee
Tennessee has no state overtime law and relies solely on federal FLSA requirements for overtime compensation.
Texas
Texas has no state overtime law and applies only federal FLSA overtime rules with no additional state requirements.
Utah
Utah follows federal overtime law with no state-specific overtime premium requirement beyond the FLSA.
Vermont
Vermont requires overtime at 1.5 times regular pay for hours over 40 per week, matching federal law with limited state additions.
Virginia
Virginia follows federal overtime rules with no state-specific enhancement; employers must pay 1.5× wages for hours over 40 weekly.
Washington
Washington requires 1.5× pay for hours over 40 weekly and 1.5× for hours over 10 daily, whichever triggers first.
West Virginia
West Virginia follows federal overtime standards; employers pay 1.5× wages for hours exceeding 40 per week.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin follows federal overtime rules with no state enhancement; 1.5× pay applies to hours over 40 weekly.
Wyoming
Wyoming follows federal overtime standards; employers pay 1.5× wages for hours exceeding 40 per week.
District of Columbia
DC requires overtime pay at 1.5× regular wage for all hours over 40 per week, with no exemptions for salaried employees.
Related terms
Minimum Wage
The lowest hourly wage an employer is legally required to pay employees.
Damages
Money awarded by a court to compensate a party for losses caused by a breach or wrongdoing.
Breach of Contract
Failure to do what a contract requires, without a valid legal excuse.
Right to Work
A legal principle that employees cannot be forced to join a union or pay union fees as a job condition.
At-Will Employment
An employment relationship where either party can end the job at any time without cause or notice.
Wrongful Termination
Illegal firing of an employee in violation of law, contract, or public policy.
Non-Compete Agreement
A contract clause restricting an employee from working for competitors or starting a competing business after leaving.
Workers Compensation
Insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to employees injured during work.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.