How does California daily overtime work?

On a normal workday, the first 8 hours are paid at the regular rate, hours over 8 up to 12 at 1.5 times, and any hours beyond 12 at double time. This is in addition to the federal weekly overtime rule, so California workers often earn overtime even under 40 hours a week.

What is the 7th-consecutive-day rule?

When an employee works all seven days of the workweek, the seventh day has its own tiers: the first 8 hours are paid at 1.5 times and any hours beyond 8 are paid at double time. This calculator switches to those tiers when you check the seventh-day box.

Does daily overtime double-count with weekly overtime?

No. California requires whichever rule yields more pay, but the same hour is never paid as both daily and weekly overtime. Hours already counted as daily overtime are excluded when computing weekly overtime over 40 hours, which this single-day tool reflects by focusing on the daily tiers.

When does double time start?

On a regular day, double time begins after 12 hours worked. On the seventh consecutive workday, double time begins after 8 hours. Double time means twice the regular hourly rate for those hours.

Is this legal advice?

No. It estimates daily overtime under Labor Code § 510 for non-exempt employees. Alternative workweek schedules, exemptions, and certain industry wage orders can change the tiers. Consult the California DLSE or an employment attorney for a binding answer.

California Daily Overtime Calculator

California stacks a daily overtime rule on top of the federal weekly one, which means employees can earn overtime even in a week under 40 hours. This calculator applies Labor Code § 510 to a single workday, splitting the hours into straight time, time-and-a-half, and double time, and also handles the special seventh-consecutive-day tiers.

How it works

On a normal workday the tiers are:

0–8 hours    → straight time (1×)
over 8 to 12 → 1.5× regular rate
over 12      → 2× regular rate (double time)

On the seventh consecutive day of the workweek the tiers shift:

0–8 hours → 1.5× regular rate
over 8    → 2× regular rate

Each tier’s hours are multiplied by the regular rate and the relevant factor, then summed for the day’s pay.

Example and notes

A 13-hour regular day at $22/hour pays: 8 hours straight ($176), 4 hours at 1.5× ($132), and 1 hour at 2× ($44), for $352 total. The same 13 hours on the seventh consecutive day would pay 8 hours at 1.5× ($264) and 5 hours at 2× ($220), for $484.

Notes: weekly overtime over 40 hours may still apply across the full week, but the same hour is never paid as both daily and weekly overtime. This tool models one day exactly; treat the figure as an estimate and check alternative-workweek agreements and exemptions before relying on it.