California overtime.
California layers its own overtime rules on top of the federal FLSA baseline.
CA
40
hrs
8
hrs
12+
hrs
$16.50
/hr
How California calculates overtime.
Weekly overtime
Hours over 40 per workweek paid at 1.5×
Daily overtime
Hours over 8 in a single day paid at 1.5×
Double time
Hours over 12 in a single day paid at 2×
7th consecutive day
First 8 hrs at 1.5×; over 8 hrs at 2×
Calculate your California overtime
The weekly timesheet automatically applies CA rules.
Who's outside the rules
These categories of employees may be exempt from the overtime requirements above:
01
Executive exemption
02
Administrative exemption
03
Professional exemption
04
Computer professional exemption (min $56.97/hour)
05
Outside sales exemption
Daily overtime (after 8 hours) is in addition to weekly overtime rules
Double time (2x) applies after 12 hours in a day
7th consecutive day: first 8 hours at 1.5x, hours over 8 at 2x
Alternative workweek schedules may have different rules
Agricultural workers have separate rules
California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
(844) 522-6734
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/
California at a glance
California has the largest economy in the United States with a $4.048 trillion gross state product in 2024, ranking as the fourth-largest economy in the world if it were an independent nation. The state is home to Silicon Valley tech giants, produces over half of the nation's fruits and vegetables, and employs 1.8 million people in the technology and innovation sectors alone.
Industries with frequent overtime
Technology and Software
Silicon Valley companies including Apple, Google, and Meta employ hundreds of thousands of workers. Despite many being salaried, non-exempt tech workers such as QA testers and support staff frequently work overtime during product launches.
Agriculture
California's $55.9 billion agricultural industry relies heavily on seasonal workers who often work 10-12 hour days during harvest. Agricultural overtime laws have progressively expanded since 2016.
Healthcare
With a minimum wage of $21/hour for covered healthcare workers as of 2024, nurses, technicians, and support staff regularly work overtime in hospitals and care facilities across the state.
Entertainment and Film Production
Hollywood productions frequently involve 12-14 hour shooting days. Crew members earn significant overtime and double-time pay under both state law and union agreements.
Warehouse and Logistics
Amazon, UPS, and other logistics companies operate massive distribution centers throughout California where workers often exceed 8 hours daily during peak seasons.
California overtime FAQ
California requires overtime (1.5x pay) for all hours worked over 8 in a single workday. Double time (2x pay) is required for hours worked over 12 in a day. This is in addition to weekly overtime for hours over 40.
If you work 7 consecutive days in a workweek, you earn 1.5x pay for the first 8 hours on the seventh day and double time (2x pay) for all hours over 8 on that seventh day.
To be exempt from overtime in California, employees must earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time work, which equals $68,640 annually ($5,720 monthly) in 2025. This is significantly higher than the federal threshold.
Filing a wage claim in California
If you believe you're owed unpaid overtime, here's what to do — in order.
File a wage claim with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), also known as the Labor Commissioner's Office.
You can file online through the DLSE website, by mail, or in person at any DLSE office.
The DLSE will review your claim and may schedule a settlement conference with your employer.
If unresolved, a hearing will be scheduled before a Deputy Labor Commissioner.
You can also file a civil lawsuit, often as a class action, for unpaid wages plus penalties and attorney fees.
Claims can go back 3 years for unpaid overtime (4 years for written contract violations).
California is one of the only states with DAILY overtime requirements. Workers earn 1.5x pay after 8 hours in a single day and 2x pay after 12 hours, regardless of weekly totals. This means a California worker could earn overtime by working four 10-hour days even if their weekly total is only 40 hours. Alternative workweek schedules must be formally adopted by employee vote to modify these daily limits.
For general education only. Overtime law changes and has exceptions not listed here. For a specific situation, talk to your employer's HR department, the California Department of Labor, or an employment attorney.