---
title: "Overtime pay under federal law"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, \"Overtime Pay\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: career
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Overtime Pay"
    publisher: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
    url: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Overtime pay under federal law

## Summary
Under the FLSA, covered non-exempt employees get at least 1.5× their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Weekends and holidays do not require overtime by themselves, and hours cannot be averaged across weeks.

> **General information, not legal advice. State laws may give more protection; check your state labor department.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Covered, non-exempt employees must get at least time and a half their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: The FLSA sets no limit on weekly hours for employees 16 and older.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: The FLSA does not require overtime pay for weekends, holidays, or rest days unless hours exceed 40 that week.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: A workweek is a fixed, recurring 168-hour period that can start on any day and hour.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Hours cannot be averaged over two or more weeks.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance beyond this summary
  where: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime
  access: open, no account