How Overtime Pay Works: What Time-and-a-Half Means for Your Paycheck

If you're eligible for overtime, extra hours can noticeably increase your paycheck. Covered nonexempt employees generally receive at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek under federal rules, although exemptions and special rules can apply.

What does time-and-a-half mean?

At a $20 regular rate, a simple time-and-a-half rate is $30. For 45 hours, a simple example is $800 in regular earnings plus $150 in overtime earnings, or $950 gross.

Is Saturday automatically overtime?

Not necessarily. Federal overtime generally focuses on hours worked during the workweek, not simply the day of the week. State law, contracts, or employer policies may provide additional rights.

Remember withholding

A larger gross paycheck can also produce larger withholding in dollar terms, so estimate the resulting take-home pay before committing the extra money.

For general educational purposes only; not tax, legal, payroll, or financial advice.