Workers sell their time, knowledge and physical effort in exchange for wages. Employers have an obligation to pay workers in accordance with their contract and with the law. Both state and federal statutes dictate minimum wage regulations and other financial responsibilities for employers. In a number of scenarios, workers may be eligible for overtime pay.
Overtime wages should be at least 150% of a worker’s standard hourly pay. California also has special rules that may require companies to pay 200% of an employee’s standard hourly wage. There are a number of scenarios in which workers may be eligible for overtime pay, but companies may try to convince them that they are not eligible for those extra wages.
When do workers deserve overtime pay?
Rules for hourly workers
Hourly employees are eligible for overtime pay in a number of different circumstances. Overtime wage rights apply when workers put in more than 40 hours per workweek under federal law. California state statutes also outline two additional scenarios in which hourly employees may be eligible for overtime wages.
If workers put in more than eight hours per shift, they are typically eligible for overtime pay. The law also allows for overtime pay if hourly employees work seven days in a row instead of receiving at least one day off for rest.
Rules for salaried employees
People often assume that professionals paid on a salary basis are exempt from overtime pay rules. While many salaried employees are exempt from overtime rules, not all of them are. Employees paid a low salary may still have the right to request overtime wages.
The state mandates that workers should receive at least twice the annual income of a full-time worker paid minimum wage to be exempt from overtime pay requirements. California establishes a threshold of $68,640 for overtime exemption as of 2025. Workers paid a lower salary are still eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week, more than eight hours per shift or seven days in a row.
Recognizing when businesses may have violated a worker’s rights can help employees take action to assert themselves. Pursuing a wage and hour claim successfully can help workers obtain the full compensation they deserve based on the time they worked.