What is Time and a Half?
Simple Definition
Time and a half means earning 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for overtime hours worked. If you normally earn $20 per hour, your time and a half rate is $30 per hour. It is the standard overtime premium in the United States, required by federal law for most hourly workers.
The term comes from the math itself: you get your regular time (1x) plus an extra half (0.5x), totaling 1.5 times your base pay for each overtime hour.
How Time and a Half Works
Time and a half is governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, and other labor standards. Under the FLSA:
- Non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5x their regular rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek.
- A workweek is defined as any fixed, recurring period of 168 hours (7 consecutive 24-hour periods).
- Overtime is calculated on a workweek basis. Hours cannot be averaged across multiple weeks (unless your employer uses an approved alternative schedule).
The formula:
Time and a Half Rate = Hourly Rate × 1.5
Overtime Pay = Time and a Half Rate × Overtime Hours
Time and a Half Examples
Here are common examples at different hourly rates:
| Regular Rate | 1.5x Rate | 5 OT Hours | 10 OT Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $112.50 | $225.00 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $150.00 | $300.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $187.50 | $375.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $225.00 | $450.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 | $262.50 | $525.00 |
For example, a worker earning $25/hr who works 50 hours in a week earns: (40 × $25) + (10 × $37.50) = $1,000 + $375 = $1,375 total.
Who Gets Time and a Half?
Most workers in the United States are entitled to time and a half under the FLSA. You likely qualify if you are:
- A non-exempt hourly employee — this is the most common category. If you are paid by the hour, you almost certainly qualify.
- A non-exempt salaried employee — salaried workers earning below the exempt salary threshold ($35,568 per year or $684 per week) are generally entitled to overtime.
- A covered worker — virtually all employees of businesses with $500,000+ in annual revenue are covered, along with workers in interstate commerce, hospitals, schools, and government agencies.
Who Does NOT Get Time and a Half?
Certain employees are exempt from FLSA overtime requirements. Common exempt categories include:
- Executive exemption — managers who supervise two or more employees and have hiring/firing authority
- Administrative exemption — employees performing office work related to business operations who exercise independent judgment
- Professional exemption — learned professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers) and creative professionals
- Computer employee exemption — systems analysts, programmers, and software engineers earning at least $27.63/hr
- Outside sales exemption — employees who primarily make sales away from the employer's place of business
To be exempt, employees generally must earn at least $35,568 per year ($684 per week) on a salary basis and perform specific job duties. Simply being paid a salary does not automatically make someone exempt.
Time and a Half for Holidays
A common misconception is that time and a half is required for working on holidays. In reality:
- Federal law does not require overtime pay, premium pay, or even time off for holidays — including Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Fourth of July.
- Many employers voluntarily offer time and a half or double time for holiday work as a benefit to attract and retain workers.
- Some state laws require premium pay for holiday work in certain industries (for example, Massachusetts retail workers).
- Union contracts frequently include holiday premium pay provisions.
If you work on a holiday and the hours push you past 40 for the workweek, you are entitled to time and a half for those hours over 40 — but that is because of the weekly overtime rule, not because it is a holiday.
Time and a Half vs Double Time
Time and a half (1.5x) is the most common overtime rate and the federal minimum. Double time (2x) pays twice your regular rate and applies in specific situations:
- California requires double time for hours worked beyond 12 in a single day and for hours beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive workday.
- Some union contracts provide double time for holidays, weekends, or extended shifts.
- Double time is not required by federal law.
For example, at $20/hr: time and a half = $30/hr, double time = $40/hr. Learn more in our double time pay guide.
Calculate Your Time and a Half Rate
Enter your hourly rate into our free calculator to see your exact time and a half rate, weekly overtime pay, and take-home estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time and a half?
Time and a half means earning 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for overtime hours. Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees must receive at least this rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
How much is time and a half for $20 an hour?
$30.00 per hour. You calculate this by multiplying $20 × 1.5 = $30. If you work 10 overtime hours at $30/hr, that is $300 in overtime pay.
Is time and a half required by law?
Yes. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay at least 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees. Some states have additional overtime requirements.
Do you get time and a half on holidays?
Not by federal law. There is no federal requirement to pay premium rates for holiday work. However, many employers offer time and a half or double time for holidays voluntarily, and some states require it in certain industries.
What is the difference between time and a half and double time?
Time and a half is 1.5 times your regular rate; double time is 2 times your regular rate. Time and a half is federally required for overtime. Double time is not federally required but is mandated in some states like California for hours over 12 in a day.