Overtime rules for nurses
Nurses often work 12-hour shifts and three or four shifts per week. Many states have specific overtime rules for healthcare workers, including the option for 8/80 overtime calculation.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Average hourly rate (US): $38.74
- Average weekly hours: 36
Special rules for nurses
- Hospital workers may use the "8/80 rule" — overtime after 8 hrs/day OR 80 hrs in a 14-day period
- Mandatory overtime for nurses is restricted in many states (CA, IL, NJ, NY, PA, others)
- Travel nurses may have different OT rules based on assignment state
- On-call hours typically not counted unless the nurse must remain on premises
Are nurses entitled to overtime?
The answer depends on your specific job duties, salary level, and state. Under federal FLSA, most nurses are non-exempt and entitled to time-and-a-half pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Some categories — like senior-level or specifically exempt roles — may not qualify.
To determine your status, ask: Are you paid hourly, or do you earn at least $43,888/year on a salary basis? Do your job duties match the FLSA's exemption tests (executive, administrative, or professional)? If you're unsure, the calculator above will help estimate your OT pay assuming you're non-exempt.
How to calculate nurses' overtime pay
For most nurses working under federal FLSA rules:
- Identify your regular hourly rate. If salaried, divide your weekly salary by 40.
- Track all hours worked in the workweek. Include training, mandatory meetings, and any pre/post-shift duties.
- Subtract 40 to find OT hours. All hours over 40 are overtime.
- Multiply OT hours by your rate × 1.5. This is your overtime pay.
- Add regular pay (40 × rate) to OT pay for your gross weekly total.