Overtime Laws by State (2026)
A plain-English breakdown of overtime rules in every state. Most states follow federal FLSA rules (1.5× after 40 hrs/week), but some — like California — have stricter daily and double-time rules.
| State | Daily OT (1.5×) | Weekly OT (1.5×) | Double Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | After 8 hrs/day | After 40 hrs | After 12 hrs/day or 8 hrs on 7th day |
| Alaska | After 8 hrs/day | After 40 hrs | None (state) |
| Nevada | After 8 hrs (if <$17.55/hr) | After 40 hrs | None (state) |
| Colorado | After 12 hrs/day | After 40 hrs | After 12 hrs/day |
| All Other States | None (federal) | After 40 hrs | None (federal) |
California Overtime Laws #
California has the strictest overtime laws in the U.S. Employers must pay:
- 1.5× for hours over 8 in a day, or over 40 in a week
- 1.5× for the first 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day
- 2× for hours over 12 in a day
- 2× for hours over 8 on the 7th consecutive day
Use our Overtime Pay Calculator to calculate your exact California overtime pay.
Federal Overtime (FLSA) #
The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay 1.5× the regular rate for all hours over 40 in a single workweek for covered, non-exempt employees. There is no federal requirement for daily overtime or double time.