Am I legally entitled to overtime pay?

Most workers earning below the federal salary threshold ($35,556/year in 2026) are non-exempt and entitled to overtime. Above that threshold, you're likely exempt — but duties tests also apply. States like California and New York have much higher thresholds.

How do I calculate overtime pay I might be owed?

For non-exempt workers: (hourly rate × 1.5) × overtime hours per week. If you've been misclassified or worked unpaid OT, you may be able to recover up to 2-3 years of back wages through the DOL or a lawsuit.

What's the statute of limitations for unpaid overtime claims?

Under the FLSA, you can typically recover up to 2 years of unpaid overtime (3 years for willful violations). State laws vary — California allows 3-4 years. File with the DOL or consult an employment attorney.

Overtime Rights Checker — Are You Owed Back Pay?

Overtime Rights Checker

Most calculators just do the math. We also tell you if you're even entitled to overtime — and how much you might be owed.

✦ Based on FLSA regulations · Methodology

Try it:

Annual Salary

Your State

Regular Hourly Rate

Regular Hours/Week

Overtime Hours/Week

Overtime Rate

Who Is Entitled to Overtime Pay?

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most workers earning less than $35,556/year ($684/week) are classified as non-exempt and entitled to overtime pay at 1.5× their regular rate for hours exceeding 40 per week.

But here's what most people don't know: salary alone doesn't determine exemption. Workers must also fail the "duties test" — meaning they primarily perform non-managerial, non-professional tasks — to be eligible for overtime.

State Thresholds Can Be Much Higher

Federal law sets the minimum threshold. States can — and do — set higher thresholds:

California: $66,560/year ($1,280/week) — highest in the nation
New York: $74,320/year for NYC ($1,430/week)
Washington: $48,930/year
Federal: $35,556/year

If you're in California earning $50,000/year, you're likely non-exempt even though you'd be exempt under federal rules. This calculator uses your state's threshold.

How to Calculate Unpaid Overtime

For non-exempt workers:

Overtime Pay = (Hourly Rate × 1.5) × Overtime Hours per Week

Example: $20/hr worker with 10 OT hours/week = ($20 × 1.5) × 10 = $300/week in OT

Recovering Back Pay

If you've been misclassified or worked unpaid overtime, you may be able to recover:

2 years of unpaid overtime (FLSA standard)
3 years for willful violations
liquidated damages equal to the unpaid amount in some cases

File a complaint with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division or consult an employment attorney for a case evaluation.

Methodology & Sources

Salary thresholds are based on 2026 FLSA regulations and state labor department data. The calculator provides estimates only — actual exemption status depends on duties tests and specific job duties. Consult an employment attorney for legal determination.