Skip to content
TimesheetCalculator

California overtime

California Overtime Calculator

Calculate overtime pay under California rules. See daily and weekly overtime, double time, and how it compares to a federal-only calculation.

Hours worked each day

Per-day entry is needed for daily overtime and double-time states.

Calculation breakdown

California overtime rules at a glance

RuleCalifornia
Weekly overtime1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek
Daily overtime1.5× after 8 hours in a workday
Double time2× after 12 hours in a workday, and after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day
2026 minimum wageAbout $16.50/hour statewide in 2026, with many cities higher — and a higher salary threshold for overtime exemption than the federal one.

Key takeaways

  • California is the most protective overtime state. Daily overtime means a single long day earns premium pay even in a short week — a 12-hour day is 8 regular + 4 overtime hours.
  • Double time applies after 12 hours in a workday, and on the 7th consecutive workday the first 8 hours are 1.5× and everything beyond 8 is 2×.
  • No pyramiding: each hour counts once at the highest applicable rate.
  • A 4×10 schedule has zero federal overtime but 8 daily-overtime hours in California, unless a valid Alternative Workweek Schedule was adopted by election.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1

    Enter your hourly rate

    Use your regular hourly wage. California's overtime is calculated on the regular rate, which includes shift differentials and non-discretionary bonuses.

  2. 2

    Enter hours for each day

    California uses daily overtime, so each day matters on its own: 1.5× after 8 hours in a workday, and 2× after 12 hours in a workday, and after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day. Enter the hours you worked per day.

  3. 3

    Read the breakdown

    The calculator shows regular, overtime and (where applicable) double-time hours and pay, with a step-by-step breakdown.

Why California is different

A 4×10 schedule (four 10-hour days) has zero federal overtime, but in California it earns 8 daily-overtime hours: 1.5× after 8 hours in a workday. Toggle the calculator and compare panel to see exactly what the daily rules add versus a federal-only employer.

Need the full federal picture? See the overtime calculator and the how overtime is calculated guide.

Frequently asked questions

When does overtime start in California?
1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. California also pays overtime 1.5× after 8 hours in a workday, and double time 2× after 12 hours in a workday, and after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day.
Does California have daily overtime?
Yes. California is one of only four states with daily overtime: 1.5× after 8 hours in a workday, and 2× after 12 hours in a workday, and after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day, on top of the weekly 40-hour rule. A long single day can earn overtime even in a week under 40 hours.
What is the California minimum wage?
About $16.50/hour statewide in 2026, with many cities higher — and a higher salary threshold for overtime exemption than the federal one.. Minimum wage matters for overtime because the regular rate (and therefore the overtime rate) for a minimum-wage worker is based on it.
Is overtime calculated per week or per pay period?
Per workweek, always. Even on a biweekly or semi-monthly paycheck, each 7-day workweek is evaluated separately — 46 hours one week and 34 the next still owes 6 overtime hours, never zero.
Who is exempt from overtime?
Salaried executive, administrative and professional employees who meet both the federal duties tests and salary threshold are generally exempt, though California uses a higher salary threshold than the federal one. Job title alone does not decide it — misclassification is a common wage claim.

Sources & further reading

Related calculators

OT

Overtime Calculator

Federal and state overtime (California daily OT included): regular, time-and-a-half and double-time pay.

 1.5

Time and a Half Calculator

Calculate time-and-a-half pay from your hourly rate and overtime hours, with a full 1.5× rate table.

 2×

Double Time Calculator

Calculate double-time (2×) pay, combine it with time-and-a-half hours, and see your total gross pay.

 OP

Overtime Pay Calculator

Work out regular pay, overtime pay and total gross pay from your hours and hourly rate. Free, instant.

 SO

Salary Overtime Calculator

Convert an annual salary to an hourly regular rate and calculate overtime pay for non-exempt salaried staff.

 NTO

No Tax on Overtime Calculator

Estimate your "No Tax on Overtime" deduction and federal tax saved under the 2025 law, with caps and income phaseout.