California sets the ceiling.
Daily overtime, double time, and the seventh-day rule. The most employee-friendly overtime regime in the United States — explained from first principles.
> 8 hrs / day
1.5×
> 12 hrs / day
2×
> 40 hrs / wk
1.5×
7th day
1.5×→2×
Daily overtime (over 8 hrs)
Unlike federal law, California requires overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 8 in a single workday — regardless of total weekly hours.
| Hours worked | Pay rate | At $20 / hr |
|---|---|---|
| 0–8 hrs | Regular (1×) | $20.00 |
| 8–12 hrs | Time and a half (1.5×) | $30.00 |
| Over 12 hrs | Double time (2×) | $40.00 |
Weekly overtime (over 40 hrs)
California also follows the federal 1.5× standard for hours past 40 in a workweek. But hours already paid at overtime rates due to daily overtime do not count again toward weekly overtime.
You don't get paid overtime twice on the same hour. If you already earned 1.5× on Monday for hour nine, that hour is not counted again when calculating your weekly overtime.
The seventh consecutive day rule
When you work seven consecutive days in a single workweek, the seventh day has its own rate ladder:
First 8 hours
1.5×
Over 8 hours
2×
The workweek typically begins Sunday at 12:00 AM, unless your employer has designated a different start day.
A worked example
A California employee earns $25 / hour and works the following schedule:
| Day | Hours | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 10 | 8 reg + 2 OT (1.5×) |
| Tue | 8 | 8 reg |
| Wed | 13 | 8 reg + 4 OT + 1 DT (2×) |
| Thu | 8 | 8 reg |
| Fri | 8 | 8 reg |
Total hours
47
Regular · 40 × $25
$1,000.00
Overtime · 6 × $37.50
$225.00
Double time · 1 × $50
$50.00
Total pay
$1,275.00
California employees can earn double time on a Wednesday and still hit weekly overtime by Friday — the daily and weekly rules layer.
Common exemptions
Not all California employees qualify for overtime. Common exempt categories:
01
Executive, administrative, and professional employees
02
Computer software professionals (meeting salary requirements)
03
Licensed physicians and surgeons
04
Outside salespersons
05
Certain unionized employees with collective bargaining agreements
Run the math
Apply this to a real timesheet, in seconds.
For general education only. Overtime law has exceptions. For a specific situation, contact your state labor department or an employment attorney.