California labor law ready
California Overtime Calculator
California overtime works differently than federal rules — you earn time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a single day, and double time after 12 hours. This calculator applies California's daily OT rules automatically so your pay estimate is accurate, not just close.
Weekly schedule
Enter your total hours for each day. If the shift included overtime or a differential (evening, night, weekend, or holiday), use the dropdown to select the shift type — the pay split is calculated automatically.
Gross pay summary
Regular pay
40.0 hrs × base rate
Overtime pay
5.0 hrs × 1.5×
Gross pay
$1,045.00
Annual estimate: $27,170.00
Understanding California Overtime Laws for Shift Workers
Daily Overtime: The Core California Rule
California requires overtime pay — 1.5× your base rate — for any hours worked over 8 in a single day. This applies regardless of your weekly total. Work a 10-hour shift Monday through Friday and you earn 2 overtime hours each day, totaling 10 overtime hours for the week — even though you never exceeded 40 hours.
When Double Time Applies
- • Any hours worked over 12 in a single day: paid at 2× your base rate
- • Any hours on the 7th consecutive day of a workweek over 8 hours: paid at 2×
- • First 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day: paid at 1.5×
- • California overtime cannot be waived by the employee — it is mandatory
Daily OT vs. Weekly OT — Which Applies?
California uses whichever calculation produces more overtime pay. Daily overtime is calculated per day; weekly overtime applies after 40 total hours. You are paid based on whichever rule generates higher compensation for those additional hours — they do not stack on top of each other for the same hours.
Shift Differentials With California Overtime
Shift differentials apply to all hours worked under that shift type — including California overtime and double-time hours. Your overtime rate in California is based on your base pay; the differential is a separate add-on. A night shift that extends past 12 hours earns the night differential on every hour plus double time on hours 13+.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
What is California's daily overtime rule?
California requires overtime pay (1.5× your base rate) for any hours worked over 8 in a single day — not just over 40 in a week. This means a single 10-hour day generates 2 overtime hours regardless of your weekly total. This is known as daily overtime and applies to most non-exempt workers in California.
When does double time apply in California?
Double time (2× your base rate) kicks in when you work more than 12 hours in a single day, or when you work more than 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of a workweek. Shift Diff Calculator applies California's double-time rules automatically when you select CA as your state.
Does California also have weekly overtime on top of daily overtime?
Yes — California uses both daily and weekly overtime. You earn 1.5× for hours over 8/day OR over 40/week, whichever results in more overtime pay. The two rules do not stack; you are paid whichever calculation yields higher compensation for those extra hours.
How do shift differentials interact with California's daily overtime?
Shift differentials are applied to all hours worked under that shift type, including overtime and double-time hours. Your daily overtime rate in California is based on your base pay rate. The differential is paid separately on top — so a night shift that goes 12+ hours earns the differential on all hours plus double time on the hours over 12.
I work a 12-hour shift in California — how much overtime do I earn?
A 12-hour shift in California generates 4 hours of overtime at 1.5× (hours 8–12). If you work beyond 12 hours, each additional hour is paid at 2×. For example, at a $25/hr base rate: hours 1–8 at $25 = $200, hours 9–12 at $37.50 = $150, any hours over 12 at $50/hr each.
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