Time and a half = your hourly rate × 1.5. It's the minimum overtime pay rate required by US federal law (FLSA) for hours worked beyond 40 per week. If you earn $20/hr, your time-and-a-half rate is $30/hr. If you earn $15/hr, it's $22.50/hr. Employers must pay this for every overtime hour — it is not optional for covered workers.
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The Time and a Half Formula
Time-and-a-half rate = Regular hourly rate × 1.5. To find your total overtime pay, multiply that rate by the number of overtime hours worked.
Time-and-a-Half Rate = Hourly Rate × 1.5
Overtime Pay = Time-and-a-Half Rate × Overtime Hours
Weekly Gross = (40 × Hourly Rate) + Overtime Pay
This formula applies to all hours beyond 40 per workweek under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It does not apply to salaried employees who earn above the FLSA exempt threshold ($684/week in 2026) and meet the duties test.
Time and a Half Chart — Every Common Wage
Find your rate in the table below. Column 1 is your regular pay; column 2 is time and a half; columns 3–4 show overtime pay for 5 and 10 hours of OT.
| Regular Rate | Time-and-a-Half Rate | OT Pay (5 hrs) | OT Pay (10 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00/hr | $15.00/hr | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| $11.00/hr | $16.50/hr | $82.50 | $165.00 |
| $12.00/hr | $18.00/hr | $90.00 | $180.00 |
| $13.00/hr | $19.50/hr | $97.50 | $195.00 |
| $14.00/hr | $21.00/hr | $105.00 | $210.00 |
| $15.00/hr | $22.50/hr | $112.50 | $225.00 |
| $16.00/hr | $24.00/hr | $120.00 | $240.00 |
| $17.00/hr | $25.50/hr | $127.50 | $255.00 |
| $18.00/hr | $27.00/hr | $135.00 | $270.00 |
| $19.00/hr | $28.50/hr | $142.50 | $285.00 |
| $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $150.00 | $300.00 |
| $21.00/hr | $31.50/hr | $157.50 | $315.00 |
| $22.00/hr | $33.00/hr | $165.00 | $330.00 |
| $25.00/hr | $37.50/hr | $187.50 | $375.00 |
| $30.00/hr | $45.00/hr | $225.00 | $450.00 |
| $35.00/hr | $52.50/hr | $262.50 | $525.00 |
| $40.00/hr | $60.00/hr | $300.00 | $600.00 |
| $50.00/hr | $75.00/hr | $375.00 | $750.00 |
Step-by-Step Examples
Time-and-a-half rate: $15 × 1.5 = $22.50/hr
Regular pay: 40 hrs × $15 = $600.00
Overtime hours: 45 − 40 = 5 hours
Overtime pay: 5 hrs × $22.50 = $112.50
Time-and-a-half rate: $20 × 1.5 = $30.00/hr
Regular pay: 40 hrs × $20 = $800.00
Overtime hours: 50 − 40 = 10 hours
Overtime pay: 10 hrs × $30 = $300.00
Time-and-a-half rate (hrs 8–12/day): $35 × 1.5 = $52.50/hr
Double-time rate (hrs 12+/day): $35 × 2.0 = $70.00/hr
12-hour shift pay: (8 × $35) + (4 × $52.50) = $280 + $210 = $490
🕐 Calculate Your Exact Time and a Half
Enter your clock-in/out times for each day. ClockCalc calculates regular and overtime pay automatically — including California daily OT rules.
Try ClockCalc Free →When Does Time and a Half Apply?
Federal rule (FLSA): Time and a half applies after 40 hours in a workweek. The "workweek" is any fixed 7-day period your employer defines — not necessarily Monday–Sunday. Hours are counted per week, not per pay period.
California rule: Time and a half also applies after 8 hours in a single workday, and on the first 8 hours of the 7th consecutive workday. This daily overtime rule applies regardless of the weekly total.
Nevada rule: Similar to California — daily overtime after 8 hours per day if the employee earns less than 1.5× minimum wage.
| State / Rule | Time and a Half Starts | Double Time Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (FLSA) | After 40 hrs/week | Not required |
| California | After 8 hrs/day OR 40 hrs/week | After 12 hrs/day |
| Nevada | After 8 hrs/day (if wage < 1.5× min) | Not required |
| Texas, Florida, NY | After 40 hrs/week only | Not required |
| Most other states | After 40 hrs/week (FLSA) | Not required |
Who Is Entitled to Time and a Half?
Most hourly workers are entitled to time and a half. Under FLSA, you qualify unless you fall into an exempt category. Coverage applies regardless of immigration status — undocumented workers have the same overtime rights as any other employee.
You are NOT entitled to time and a half if you are:
- A salaried employee earning at least $684/week AND meeting executive, administrative, or professional duties tests
- A farmworker on a small farm (fewer than 500 man-days of labor in a quarter)
- An outside sales employee
- Certain computer professionals earning at least $27.63/hr
- Independent contractors (1099 workers — not W-2 employees)
If you're unsure whether you're exempt, see our guide to salary overtime rules and FLSA exemptions.
Time and a Half vs Double Time
Time and a half (1.5×) is the standard overtime rate. Double time (2×) is a higher premium that California requires for hours beyond 12 in a single day and beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive workday. Federal law does not mandate double time — it only applies in California and under certain union contracts.
| Pay Rate | Multiplier | Example ($20/hr) | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 1.0× | $20.00/hr | First 40 hrs/week |
| Time and a Half | 1.5× | $30.00/hr | OT hours (federal minimum) |
| Double Time | 2.0× | $40.00/hr | CA: 12+ hrs/day; union CBA |
For a full breakdown, see: Double Time vs Overtime: Key Differences Explained.
Is Time and a Half Taxed at a Higher Rate?
No — time and a half is not taxed at a special "overtime tax rate." Overtime pay is added to your regular wages and taxed at your normal marginal federal income tax bracket (10%–37%). However, a single large paycheck may push you into a higher bracket temporarily.
In 2026, the Big Beautiful Bill proposes to eliminate federal income tax on overtime pay entirely. If passed, only FICA taxes (7.65%) would apply to overtime wages. This is not yet law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time and a half for $12 an hour?
Time and a half for $12/hr is $18.00/hr ($12 × 1.5). For 5 overtime hours: 5 × $18 = $90 in overtime pay, bringing your weekly gross to $480 + $90 = $570.
What is time and a half for $14 an hour?
Time and a half for $14/hr is $21.00/hr ($14 × 1.5). For 5 overtime hours: 5 × $21 = $105 overtime pay.
What is time and a half for $16 an hour?
Time and a half for $16/hr is $24.00/hr ($16 × 1.5). For 8 overtime hours: 8 × $24 = $192 overtime pay.
What is time and a half for $17 an hour?
Time and a half for $17/hr is $25.50/hr ($17 × 1.5). For 5 overtime hours: 5 × $25.50 = $127.50 overtime pay.
Can my employer pay me straight time instead of time and a half for overtime?
No — for covered employees, paying straight time for overtime hours is a violation of the FLSA. Your employer must pay at least 1.5× your regular rate for all overtime hours. Some employers offer "comp time" (time off instead of pay), but this is only legal for certain government employees — not private-sector workers.
Does time and a half apply to part-time workers?
Yes, if a part-time hourly employee works more than 40 hours in a week, they are entitled to time and a half for those extra hours under FLSA — just like full-time workers. The 40-hour weekly threshold applies regardless of employment status.
How do I calculate time and a half for a salary?
For a non-exempt salaried employee, first convert salary to an hourly rate: divide weekly salary by total hours worked. Then apply the 1.5× multiplier to that rate for each overtime hour. See our salary overtime calculator for a step-by-step guide.
What is time and a half on holidays?
Federal law does not require extra pay for working on holidays. If a holiday causes your weekly hours to exceed 40, those excess hours earn time and a half — but the holiday itself does not automatically trigger overtime. Many employers voluntarily offer time and a half on holidays as a benefit.
- U.S. Department of Labor – FLSA Overtime Requirements
- California DIR – Overtime FAQ
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) § 207 – Maximum hours and overtime rate
Related: How to Calculate Overtime Pay · Double Time vs Overtime · California Overtime Calculator · Overtime Tax Calculator · Payroll Time Calculator
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