What is the overtime rule in California?

Over 8 and up to 12 hours worked in a workday is paid at 1.5 times regular pay, over 12 hours in a day at 2 times pay, and over 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times pay. The seventh consecutive worked day also earns premiums: 1.5x for the first 8 hours and 2x after that.

Do I get overtime every day in California or only after 40 hours a week?

Both apply. Daily overtime is earned per workday, and weekly overtime applies on top of that over 40 hours in the workweek; hours already paid at a daily premium are not counted again toward the weekly threshold.

How is double time calculated in California?

Hours over 12 in a workday, and hours over 8 on the seventh consecutive workday, are paid at double time — 2 times your regular hourly rate.

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California daily overtime: the 8/12 rules

California is one of the few states with daily overtime. Where federal law only starts overtime after 40 hours in a week, California also pays premiums inside a single day — after 8 hours at time and a half, and after 12 at double time.

The three thresholds

Hours in a workday	Pay rate
Up to 8 hours	Regular pay
Over 8 up to 12 hours	1.5× (time and a half)
Over 12 hours	2× (double time)

Weekly overtime also applies: over 40 hours in a workweek is 1.5×, and hours already paid at a daily premium are not counted again toward the weekly threshold — no double-dipping for the employer, no double-counting error for you.

The 7th consecutive day

Work seven consecutive days in a workweek and the seventh day itself carries premiums: the first 8 hours at 1.5× and everything past 8 hours at 2×. Rest days matter: a genuine day off mid-week resets the count, and the rule applies per workweek, not per calendar week.

Meal periods interact with overtime

California requires a duty-free 30-minute meal period by the end of the fifth hour. A missed or short meal period earns the employee one hour of premium pay — separate from overtime. Break time paid as rest (10 minutes per 4 hours) stays in paid time.

Worked example

A shift from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm with a 60-minute unpaid lunch is 12 paid hours: the first 8 at regular pay, the next 4 at 1.5×. Come in at 5:00 am and leave at 7:00 pm the same day and the last hour is double time. At $20 an hour that 13-hour day pays $160 regular + $120 overtime + $40 double time = $320 before deductions. Check the whole week under the California preset in the calculator — it applies the daily thresholds, the 7th-day rule, and weekly overtime in one pass.

Who is covered

Most non-exempt employees in California are covered; exempt executive, administrative and professional employees are not. Other states add their own daily thresholds — Colorado, Nevada and Alaska among them — and you can model those with the custom thresholds option. This page is general information, not legal advice; for a specific dispute contact the California DIR or a wage-and-hour attorney.

Last updated: October 18, 2026.