Iowa overtime.
Iowa follows federal FLSA overtime: 1.5× after 40 hours per workweek.
IA
40
hrs
—
—
$7.25
/hr
federal rate
How Iowa calculates overtime.
Weekly overtime
Hours over 40 per workweek paid at 1.5×
Daily overtime
Not required by state law
Double time
Not required by state law
7th consecutive day
No special rule
Calculate your Iowa overtime
The weekly timesheet automatically applies IA rules.
Who's outside the rules
These categories of employees may be exempt from the overtime requirements above:
01
Standard FLSA exemptions apply
Iowa follows federal FLSA overtime rules.
Iowa Division of Labor
(515) 281-3606
Iowa at a glance
Iowa's economy combines advanced manufacturing with a powerful agricultural sector, contributing $238.3 billion in gross state product in 2023. The state is the nation's second-largest agricultural exporter and leads the country in ethanol and biodiesel production, while manufacturing contributes nearly $38.6 billion annually.
Industries with frequent overtime
Advanced Manufacturing
Iowa's largest industry with over 226,000 workers and 6,200 establishments, manufacturing workers frequently work overtime in machinery, food processing, and transportation equipment production.
Agriculture and Food Processing
As a top producer of corn, soybeans, pork, and eggs, agricultural workers and food processing employees commonly work overtime during planting, harvest, and peak production seasons.
Renewable Energy
Leading the nation in ethanol, biodiesel, and wind energy production, workers in renewable fuel plants and wind farm maintenance often work extended hours.
Financial Services
Contributing over $47 billion to GDP, financial services workers may work overtime during fiscal reporting periods and market events.
Iowa overtime FAQ
Iowa does not have additional overtime laws beyond federal requirements. Employers must follow FLSA rules, paying overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Iowa's overtime minimum wage is $10.88 per hour, which is 1.5 times the state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If you earn more than minimum wage, your overtime rate would be 1.5 times your actual regular hourly rate.
Under Iowa Code, employees can recover the full amount of unpaid overtime wages plus liquidated damages (calculated as a percentage under Iowa Code Section 91A.2.6), court costs, and attorney's fees if the employer intentionally failed to pay.
Filing a wage claim in Iowa
If you believe you're owed unpaid overtime, here's what to do — in order.
Print and complete a Wage Claim form from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), available in English or Spanish.
Include details such as employer name and contact information, the amount owed, and hours worked, along with supporting documentation.
Submit the form by mail to the Iowa Division of Labor. Claims must not exceed $6,500.00.
For federal overtime claims, contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at 515-284-4625.
Iowa's wage claim process has a $6,500 maximum limit. Claims exceeding this amount must be filed with the federal Wage and Hour Division or pursued through civil court. The state Division of Labor can be reached at 515-725-5619 for assistance with the wage claim process.
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 Iowa Department of Labor, or an employment attorney.