What Is Time and a Half?
Time and a half means you are paid 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for qualifying overtime hours. This is the standard overtime rate required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. Many employers also pay time and a half for holiday work, weekend shifts, or other premium pay situations, though this is not required by federal law.
- 1Time and a half rate: $20.00 x 1.5 = $30.00/hour
- 2Overtime earnings: $30.00 x 8 hours = $240.00
- 3Compare to regular pay: $20.00 x 8 hours = $160.00
- 4Extra earnings from overtime premium: $240.00 - $160.00 = $80.00 bonus
Time and a Half Quick Reference Table
| Regular Rate | Time and a Half (1.5x) | Double Time (2x) | 8-Hour OT Day Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $120.00 |
| $12.00 | $18.00 | $24.00 | $144.00 |
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $30.00 | $180.00 |
| $18.00 | $27.00 | $36.00 | $216.00 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $240.00 |
| $22.00 | $33.00 | $44.00 | $264.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $50.00 | $300.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 | $360.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 | $70.00 | $420.00 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 | $480.00 |
| $50.00 | $75.00 | $100.00 | $600.00 |
When Do You Get Time and a Half?
- Working more than 40 hours in a workweek (federal FLSA requirement for non-exempt employees)
- Working more than 8 hours in a single day (California, Alaska, and some other states)
- Working on the 7th consecutive day in a workweek (California requires 1.5x for first 8 hours)
- Holiday work (not required by federal law, but many employers offer it voluntarily)
- Weekend or night shifts (depends on employer policy or union contract)
- Some government and union contracts specify time and a half for specific circumstances
Time and a Half for Salaried Employees
Non-exempt salaried employees are entitled to time and a half for overtime. To calculate the hourly rate for a salaried employee, divide the weekly salary by the number of hours the salary is meant to compensate (usually 40). For example, a salary of $800/week divided by 40 hours = $20/hour regular rate, making the time-and-a-half rate $30/hour. In 2026, salaried employees earning less than $58,656/year are generally non-exempt and entitled to overtime.
There is no federal requirement to pay time and a half for holidays. The FLSA does not require extra pay for weekends, holidays, or regular days of rest. However, many employers choose to offer premium pay for holidays as a benefit to attract and retain employees. Check your company policy or employment contract.
How Overtime Adds Up Over a Year
Even a small amount of regular overtime can significantly boost your annual earnings. Working just 5 extra hours per week at time and a half adds up to considerable extra income over a year. At $20/hour, 5 overtime hours per week earns an extra $7,800 per year, turning a $41,600 base salary into $49,400. That is nearly a 19% raise just from overtime.
| Weekly OT Hours | Weekly OT Pay | Annual OT Pay | Total Annual Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | $60 | $3,120 | $44,720 |
| 5 hours | $150 | $7,800 | $49,400 |
| 8 hours | $240 | $12,480 | $54,080 |
| 10 hours | $300 | $15,600 | $57,200 |
| 15 hours | $450 | $23,400 | $65,000 |
| 20 hours | $600 | $31,200 | $72,800 |
