Double Time Pay Calculator
Find out exactly how much you earn when double time kicks in. Breaks down regular pay, overtime, double time, and total gross for any shift or week.
Hourly Rate
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Overtime Starts After
Double Time Starts After
Double Time Rate
Gross pay before taxes. Download Hours44 to see your actual take-home pay.
Track Your Double Time Automatically
Hours44 figures out overtime and double time across multiple jobs, then shows your pay after taxes.
How Double Time Pay Works
Double time means you get paid twice your normal hourly rate for hours that qualify. The formula: Hourly Rate x 2 x Double Time Hours. So if you earn $25/hr, your double time rate is $50/hr. Take a 14-hour shift in California: you'd get $200 at your regular rate (8 hours), $150 in overtime (4 hours at 1.5x), and $100 in double time (2 hours at 2x), totaling $450 gross.
When double time is required
Federal law (FLSA) does not require double time. It only requires time-and-a-half (1.5x) after 40 hours in a workweek. California is the only state that requires double time:
- After 12 hours in a single workday
- After 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday in a workweek
Outside California, double time mostly shows up in union contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and employer policies for holidays, weekends, or extreme hours. California's alternative workweek schedules can also change these thresholds.
Double time vs. overtime vs. double time and a half
Overtime (1.5x) is required by federal law after 40 hours/week. California also requires it after 8 hours in a day. Double time (2.0x) is only required by California after 12 hours/day; everywhere else, it's voluntary. Double time and a half (2.5x) is the rarest of the three. You'll mostly see it in union contracts for holidays. No law requires it.
| Hourly Rate | OT Rate (1.5x) | DT Rate (2.0x) | DT½ (2.5x) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $50.00 | $62.50 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 | $75.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 | $70.00 | $87.50 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 | $100.00 |
| $45.00 | $67.50 | $90.00 | $112.50 |
| $50.00 | $75.00 | $100.00 | $125.00 |
| $60.00 | $90.00 | $120.00 | $150.00 |
| $75.00 | $112.50 | $150.00 | $187.50 |
| $100.00 | $150.00 | $200.00 | $250.00 |
Daily pay breakdown (California rules, 14-hour shift)
| Hourly Rate | Regular (8 hrs) | OT (4 hrs @ 1.5x) | DT (2 hrs @ 2x) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $120.00 | $90.00 | $60.00 | $270.00 |
| $20.00 | $160.00 | $120.00 | $80.00 | $360.00 |
| $25.00 | $200.00 | $150.00 | $100.00 | $450.00 |
| $30.00 | $240.00 | $180.00 | $120.00 | $540.00 |
| $35.00 | $280.00 | $210.00 | $140.00 | $630.00 |
| $40.00 | $320.00 | $240.00 | $160.00 | $720.00 |
| $45.00 | $360.00 | $270.00 | $180.00 | $810.00 |
| $50.00 | $400.00 | $300.00 | $200.00 | $900.00 |
Double time and your taxes
Double time is taxed like any other income. There's no special tax rate for premium pay. Federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare all apply at their normal rates. The extra money can push part of your income into a higher bracket, but only the dollars above the threshold get taxed at that higher rate.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), eligible hourly workers can deduct qualifying overtime and double time pay from taxable income, up to $12,500/year for single filers or $25,000 for joint filers, for tax years 2025 through 2028. FICA taxes still apply. Use our overtime tax savings calculator to estimate your savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about double time pay and how it's calculated
What is double time pay?
Double time means you earn twice your regular hourly rate. If your normal rate is $20/hr, double time pays $40/hr. Some states require it by law, and some employers offer it voluntarily for long shifts or tough schedules.
When is double time pay required by law?
Only California requires it. There, double time kicks in after 12 hours in a single workday, or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday. Federal law (FLSA) does not require double time at all; it only requires time-and-a-half (1.5x) after 40 hours/week.
How do I calculate double time pay?
Multiply your hourly rate by 2, then multiply by the number of double time hours. Example: $25/hr x 2 = $50/hr double time rate. Three hours of double time: $50 x 3 = $150.
What is the difference between overtime and double time?
Overtime is 1.5x your regular rate and is required by federal law after 40 hours/week. Double time is 2x your regular rate and much less common. Only California requires it; other employers and unions may offer it on their own terms.
Do employers have to pay double time on holidays?
No federal or state law requires it. Many employers do pay double time on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, but that's company policy or a union agreement, not a legal obligation.
Can salaried employees earn double time?
Usually not. Salaried workers classified as "exempt" under the FLSA (executive, administrative, or professional roles) don't get overtime or double time. Non-exempt salaried workers in California may qualify if they hit the hourly thresholds.
What is double time and a half?
It's 2.5x your regular rate. At $20/hr, that comes out to $50/hr. You'll mostly see this in union contracts for holiday work or extreme overtime situations. No law requires it anywhere.
Is double time taxed differently than regular pay?
No, it's taxed the same way. Federal income tax, state income tax (where applicable), Social Security, and Medicare all apply at normal rates. That said, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), eligible hourly workers can deduct qualifying overtime and double time pay from taxable income (up to $12,500/year single, $25,000 joint) for tax years 2025-2028.
Need More Than a Quick Calculation?
Hours44 tracks your shifts, calculates overtime automatically, and shows your real take-home pay.