Built for hospital schedules
Nurse Shift Pay Calculator
Nurses working 12-hour shifts with night and weekend differentials deserve a pay calculator built for their schedule. Enter your base rate, select your shifts, and see your exact gross pay — including overtime for any hours over 40 in a week (or over 8 per day in California).
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
8.0 hrs × 1.5×
Total differential pay
$231.00Night differential
$189.00Weekend differential
$42.00Gross pay
$2,051.00
Annual estimate: $53,326.00
How Nurse Shift Differential Pay Is Calculated
The 12-Hour Shift Math
Nurses working three 12-hour shifts hit 36 hours — below the 40-hour federal overtime threshold. But pick up a fourth shift and the extra 12 hours are paid at 1.5× your base rate. A $35/hr nurse working four 12-hour nights earns $35 × 36 regular hours + $52.50 × 12 overtime hours = $1,890 in base pay — before any differentials.
Night and Weekend Differential Rates
- • Night shift (7pm–7am): typically 10%–20% of base pay, or $2–$5/hr flat
- • Weekend shift (Sat/Sun): typically 5%–15%, or $1.50–$3/hr flat
- • Charge nurse add-on: $1–$4/hr on top of base rate (applies to differential calculations)
- • Holiday pay: most hospitals pay 1.5× to 2× base rate for major holidays
Do Differentials Stack With Overtime?
Yes — shift differential and overtime are calculated separately and both apply. If you work overtime during a night shift, you earn the overtime multiplier (1.5× base) AND the night differential on top. Your overtime rate is based on your base hourly rate; the differential is a separate add-on for each qualifying hour.
California Nurses: Daily Overtime Applies
California nurses earn overtime after 8 hours in a single day — not just after 40 hours in a week. A single 12-hour shift generates 4 overtime hours at 1.5×. A 12-hour shift exceeding 12 hours triggers double time (2×) for each additional hour. Select CA as your state in the calculator to apply these rules automatically.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
How is shift differential calculated for nurses on 12-hour shifts?
For a 12-hour night shift, your shift differential is applied to all 12 hours. If your base rate is $35/hr and your night differential is 15%, you earn an extra $5.25 per hour — adding $63 to that shift alone. Shift Diff Calculator applies the differential to every hour logged under that shift type.
Do nurses get overtime pay on top of their shift differential?
Yes. Overtime (1.5× your base rate for hours over 40 in a week) and shift differential are separate — you receive both. If you work overtime hours during a night shift, your differential still applies on top of the overtime rate.
What is a typical night shift differential for nurses?
Hospital night shift differentials for nurses typically range from 10% to 20% of base pay, or $2–$5 flat per hour depending on the employer and region. Weekend differentials commonly run 5%–15%. Magnet hospitals and high-demand markets tend to offer higher rates.
Does shift differential apply to overtime hours?
Yes — if you work overtime hours during a differential-eligible shift, the differential applies to those hours too. Your overtime rate is calculated on your base pay, and the differential is added separately, so both stack.
How do 3×12 nursing schedules affect weekly overtime?
Three 12-hour shifts equal 36 hours — under the federal 40-hour rule, no overtime applies. But if you pick up a fourth shift (48 hours total), you earn overtime on the 8 extra hours. In California, overtime kicks in after 8 hours in a single day regardless of weekly total.
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