Most hourly workers earn 1.5× their regular rate past 40 hours a week. Here's how the math works and who qualifies.
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for every hour worked beyond 40 in a workweek. That's why overtime is called "time and a half."
If you earn $20 an hour and work 46 hours in a week: 40 hours at $20 = $800 regular pay, plus 6 overtime hours at $30 (1.5 × $20) = $180. Your total for the week is $980. The overtime calculator does this instantly.
Overtime applies to non-exempt employees — most hourly workers. Exempt employees (typically salaried workers above a set threshold in executive, administrative, or professional roles) generally don't receive overtime. Some states have stronger rules, such as daily overtime in California.
Federal law does not require "double time." Time and a half is the federal standard; any double-time pay comes from state law (California, in limited cases) or an employer's own policy, not the FLSA.
Being salaried doesn't automatically disqualify you. If your salary falls below the FLSA exemption threshold, or your duties don't meet an exemption test, you may still be owed overtime. Your regular rate is calculated from your salary and standard hours.