What is "time and a half"?
Time and a half (1.5×) is the standard federal overtime pay rate required by the Fair Labor Standards Act for non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours in a workweek. The phrase means an employee earns 150% of their regular hourly rate for those overtime hours — half again as much (50% extra) added on top.
Quick formula
Time and a Half = Regular Hourly Rate × 1.5
Example: $20/hr × 1.5 = $30/hr time-and-a-half rate
When does time and a half apply?
- Federal FLSA: All non-exempt hours over 40 per workweek
- California: Hours over 8 per day, hours over 40 per week, first 8 hours on 7th consecutive workday
- Alaska, Nevada (lower-wage), Oregon (manufacturing): Daily OT thresholds
- Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut: Sunday/holiday retail premium pay
Common time and a half examples
- $15/hr × 1.5 = $22.50/hr
- $20/hr × 1.5 = $30/hr
- $25/hr × 1.5 = $37.50/hr
- $30/hr × 1.5 = $45/hr
- $50/hr × 1.5 = $75/hr