California Overtime 2026: $20/hr → $1,200
Labor Code § 510(a) sets daily overtime after 8 hours, double time after 12 hours, weekly overtime after 40 hours and seventh-day overtime. Each hour is paid at only the highest rate that applies: the law does not stack 1.5× and 2× on the same hour.
Default example: $20/hour and hours [10, 10, 10, 10, 13, 0, 0]: 40 regular hours + 12 at 1.5× + 1 at 2× → $1,200 for the week.
The § 510(a) rules
On a regular day: the first 8 hours at straight time; hours 8–12 at 1.5×; after 12 at 2×.
On the seventh day worked (if you check it): the first 8 hours at 1.5×; after 8 at 2×.
Weekly 1.5× applies only to regular hours over 40. Hours already paid at 1.5× or 2× do not receive a second premium.
Quick sample weeks
| Daily hours | Rate | Regular | 1.5× | 2× | Weekly pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [8,8,8,8,8,0,0] | $15 | 40 | 0 | 0 | $600.00 |
| [10,10,10,10,13,0,0] | $20 | 40 | 12 | 1 | $1,200.00 |
| [9,9,9,9,9,10,0] | $25 | 40 | 15 | 0 | $1,562.50 |
| [8,8,8,8,8,8,8] + 7th day | $20 | 40 | 16 | 0 | $1,280.00 |
| [12,12,0,0,0,0,0] | $30 | 16 | 8 | 0 | $840.00 |
Default week breakdown ($20/hr, 53 h)
| Bucket | Hours | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight time | 40 | $20.00 | $800.00 |
| 1.5× (4 days × 2 h + 4 h from the 13-h day) | 12 | $30.00 | $360.00 |
| 2× (hour 13 on Friday) | 1 | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Weekly total | 53 | — | $1,200.00 |
California vs federal FLSA (same week)
| Week at $20/hr | FLSA only (40+) | California § 510 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five 8-hour days | $800 | $800 | $0 |
| Five 10-hour days | $1,100 | $1,100 | $0 |
| Four 12-hour days | $1,040 | $1,120 | +$80 CA |
| Default [10,10,10,10,13] | $1,190 | $1,200 | +$10 CA (double) |
FLSA trap on four 12-hour shifts: 48 h → 40 × $20 + 8 × $30 = $1,040. California already pays 16 h at 1.5× (4 h × 4 days) and leaves only 32 straight hours: $1,120.
Exempt employees
California's overtime rules do not apply to employees who qualify as exempt (executive, administrative or professional under the State's tests and the minimum exempt salary). This calculator assumes a non-exempt hourly employee.
What this calculator does not cover
This page is the California (U.S.) rule for one workweek. It is not the federal FLSA 40-hour calculator, nor the labor law of Mexico or Guatemala. It does not classify exemptions, rebuild the regular rate with bonuses, piece rates or commissions, or handle alternative workweeks (Lab. Code §§ 511, 514, 554), agricultural AB 1066 or IWC orders.
Official sources
- California Labor Code § 510 (primary)
- DLSE overtime FAQ (secondary explanation)
Related U.S. calculators:
- Federal FLSA overtime calculator
- Four 10-hour days: CA $880 vs FLSA $800
- Federal minimum wage calculator
- U.S. FICA calculator
$1,200: 40 h × $20 = $800, 12 h × $30 = $360, and 1 h × $40 = $40. That is the form default.
After 8 hours in the same workday, unless an exemption or alternative workweek applies. After 12 hours in that day, it is double time (2×).
The first 8 hours of the seventh day of work in the week go at least at 1.5×. After 8 hours on that day, at least 2×. Example: seven 8-hour days at $20 with the 7th day marked → $1,280.
No. The federal FLSA only covers hours above 40 in the week. California also has daily overtime after 8, double time after 12 and the seventh-day rule. Four 12-hour shifts at $20: FLSA $1,040 vs California $1,120.
No. Section 510(a) says the employer does not have to combine more than one overtime rate on the same hour; the highest applicable rate is paid.
No. Employees who qualify as exempt (executive/administrative/professional tests plus the minimum exempt salary) do not receive overtime. This calculator assumes a non-exempt hourly employee.