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California Overtime Calculator | Daily OT Rules

California has some of the most employee-friendly overtime laws in the nation. Unlike most states (which follow federal FLSA rules requiring overtime only after 40 hours/week), California requires daily overtime: 1.5× pay after 8 hours in a day, double-time after 12 hours, and 1.5× for the first 8 hours on a 7th consecutive workday, with double-time after 8 hours on the 7th day.

For a California worker earning $25/hour who works 10 hours in a day: 8 hours at regular pay ($200) + 2 hours at 1.5× overtime ($75) = $275 for that day. If they work 13 hours: 8 hours regular ($200) + 4 hours at 1.5× ($150) + 1 hour at 2.0× ($50) = $400. California's daily overtime rules significantly increase earnings for long shifts.

Use the calculator below to compute your California overtime pay. Enter your regular hourly rate, daily hours, and days worked per week to see your total pay including all overtime and double-time.

Employment Details

Rate Conversion Results

Hourly Rate
$36.06

Per hour

Daily Rate
$288.48

Based on 8hr day

Weekly Rate
$1,442.40

40 hrs/wk

Biweekly Rate
$2,884.80

Every 2 weeks

Monthly Rate
$6,250.00

Per month

Overtime Rate
$54.09

1.5x base (FLSA)

Living Wage Benchmark
$10.88

Above threshold

Annual salary: $75,000.00 over 52 weeks at 40 hours/week. Total annual hours: 2080. Hourly rate: $36.06. Overtime: $54.09/hr.
Key Insights
Your hourly rate of $36.06 significantly exceeds the living wage benchmark of $10.88 per hour. At 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, you earn $1,442.40 weekly. This provides a comfortable standard of living in most areas, though housing costs may still be a major factor in high-cost regions.
Your overtime rate would be $54.09 per hour (1.5x your base rate). If you're eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), hours worked beyond 40 per week should be paid at this rate. This can significantly boost your monthly income — an extra 10 hours of overtime weekly adds about $2,163.60 monthly.
Your 40-hour work schedule for 52 weeks per year is equivalent to full-time employment. Total annual hours are 2080. Your $36.06 hourly rate translates to $75,000.00 annually. Review benefits (health insurance, retirement, paid time off) to understand your complete compensation package.
Your rate breaks down to $288.48 per day (based on 8-hour days), $1,442.40 per week, and $2,884.80 biweekly. Understanding these different timeframes helps with budgeting — consider whether your daily rate covers your daily expenses, and whether weekly income provides adequate savings capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are California's overtime rules?

California Labor Code §510 requires: (1) 1.5× regular rate for hours worked over 8 in a workday. (2) 1.5× for hours over 40 in a workweek. (3) 2.0× (double-time) for hours over 12 in a workday. (4) 1.5× for the first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day of work in a workweek. (5) 2.0× for hours over 8 on the 7th consecutive day. Unlike federal FLSA (which only requires weekly OT after 40 hours), California applies daily OT after 8 hours. This makes California one of the highest-paying states for hourly workers with long shifts.

How is California double-time calculated?

Double-time (2.0× regular rate) applies in two scenarios: (1) Hours worked beyond 12 in a single workday. (2) Hours worked beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive workday in a workweek. Example: $25/hour, 13-hour day. Hours 1-8: $25 × 8 = $200. Hours 9-12 (4 hrs at 1.5×): $37.50 × 4 = $150. Hour 13 (1 hr at 2.0×): $50 × 1 = $50. Total for 13-hour day: $400. Without California rules, federal FLSA would pay $25 × 13 = $325 (assuming under 40 weekly hours).

Are salaried employees in California entitled to overtime?

Yes, unless they meet specific exemptions. California's exemptions are stricter than federal: (1) Executive exemption — manages 2+ employees, directs work, earns >2× minimum wage ($66,560/year in 2026). (2) Administrative exemption — exercises discretion on major business decisions, earns >2× minimum wage. (3) Professional exemption — licensed profession (law, medicine, accounting) or creative profession. Misclassifying employees as exempt is a major source of California wage lawsuits. If you're salaried but don't meet exemption criteria, you're entitled to daily/weekly overtime.

Does California require meal and rest breaks?

Yes. California labor law requires: (1) 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 hours (can be waived for shifts under 6 hours). (2) Second 30-minute meal break for shifts over 10 hours. (3) 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked (or major fraction). If an employer fails to provide a meal or rest break, they owe 1 hour of pay at the regular rate per missed break per day. Meal break violations are a common source of California wage claims. Employers must also pay 'reporting time pay' if an employee reports to work but is sent home early.

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