Texas Overtime Calculator

Texas Overtime Pay Calculator

(e.g., production bonuses, attendance bonuses, commissions)

Calculation Results:

Calculated Regular Rate of Pay:

Overtime Hours:

Overtime Premium Pay (0.5x):

Total Weekly Pay (before deductions):

function calculateOvertime() { var hourlyRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hourlyRate").value); var totalHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById("totalHours").value); var bonuses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("bonuses").value); // Input validation if (isNaN(hourlyRate) || hourlyRate < 0) { alert("Please enter a valid non-negative Regular Hourly Rate."); return; } if (isNaN(totalHours) || totalHours < 0) { alert("Please enter valid non-negative Total Hours Worked."); return; } if (isNaN(bonuses) || bonuses 0) { // 1. Calculate Total Straight-Time Earnings (including bonuses) totalStraightTimeEarnings = (hourlyRate * totalHours) + bonuses; // 2. Determine the "Regular Rate of Pay" (RROP) // This is total straight-time earnings divided by total hours worked. calculatedRegularRate = totalStraightTimeEarnings / totalHours; // 3. Calculate Overtime Hours overtimeHours = Math.max(0, totalHours – regularHoursThreshold); // 4. Calculate Overtime Premium Pay // This is the *additional* half-time pay for overtime hours. // The straight-time portion of overtime hours is already included in totalStraightTimeEarnings. overtimePremiumPay = overtimeHours * calculatedRegularRate * 0.5; // 5. Calculate Total Weekly Pay totalWeeklyPay = totalStraightTimeEarnings + overtimePremiumPay; } // Display results document.getElementById("displayRegularRate").innerText = "$" + calculatedRegularRate.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("displayOvertimeHours").innerText = overtimeHours.toFixed(2) + " hours"; document.getElementById("displayOvertimePremium").innerText = "$" + overtimePremiumPay.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("displayTotalWeeklyPay").innerText = "$" + totalWeeklyPay.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("results").style.display = "block"; }

Understanding Texas Overtime Laws

In Texas, overtime pay is primarily governed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unlike some states, Texas does not have its own state-specific overtime laws that differ significantly from the FLSA for most private sector employees. This means that employers in Texas must adhere to federal guidelines regarding overtime compensation.

Who is Eligible for Overtime?

Under the FLSA, most employees are considered "non-exempt" and are therefore eligible for overtime pay. This generally includes employees who are paid hourly. To be eligible, an employee must work more than 40 hours in a single workweek.

Who is Exempt from Overtime?

Certain employees are "exempt" from FLSA overtime requirements. These exemptions typically apply to employees who meet specific criteria related to their job duties and salary. Common exemptions include:

  • Executive Exemption: Employees whose primary duty is managing the enterprise or a recognized department, who customarily and regularly direct the work of two or more other employees, and who have the authority to hire or fire.
  • Administrative Exemption: Employees whose primary duty is the performance of office or non-manual work directly related to the management or general business operations of the employer or its customers.
  • Professional Exemption: Employees whose primary duty requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.
  • Outside Sales Exemption: Employees whose primary duty is making sales or obtaining orders or contracts for services or for the use of facilities for which a consideration will be paid by the client or customer, and who customarily and regularly work away from the employer's place of business.
  • Computer Employee Exemption: Certain computer systems analysts, programmers, software engineers, or other similarly skilled workers.

For these exemptions to apply, employees must generally also be paid on a salary basis at a rate not less than a specified minimum amount (currently $684 per week, or $35,568 per year, as of 2020).

Calculating the "Regular Rate of Pay"

The FLSA mandates that overtime be paid at 1.5 times an employee's "regular rate of pay." It's crucial to understand that the regular rate of pay is not always the same as the employee's hourly wage. The regular rate includes nearly all forms of compensation paid to an employee for a workweek, divided by the total hours actually worked in that week. This can include:

  • Hourly wages
  • Non-discretionary bonuses (e.g., production bonuses, attendance bonuses, bonuses promised for meeting certain goals)
  • Commissions
  • Shift differentials
  • On-call pay

Discretionary bonuses (where the employer has sole discretion over whether to pay and the amount until near the end of the period) and certain other payments (like expense reimbursements) are generally excluded from the regular rate calculation.

Example: If an employee earns $15/hour and works 45 hours, plus receives a $100 non-discretionary bonus for the week:

  • Straight-time earnings: (45 hours * $15/hour) + $100 bonus = $675 + $100 = $775
  • Regular Rate of Pay: $775 / 45 hours = $17.22 per hour
  • Overtime Hours: 45 – 40 = 5 hours
  • Overtime Premium Pay (0.5x): 5 hours * $17.22 * 0.5 = $43.05
  • Total Weekly Pay: $775 (straight-time) + $43.05 (overtime premium) = $818.05

The Workweek Definition

An employer's workweek is a fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours (seven consecutive 24-hour periods). It does not have to coincide with the calendar week but must be consistent. Overtime is calculated based on hours worked within this defined workweek, not on daily hours.

Common Misconceptions

  • Daily Overtime: The FLSA does not require overtime pay for hours worked over 8 in a day, only for hours over 40 in a workweek.
  • Weekend/Holiday Pay: The FLSA does not require extra pay for weekend or holiday work, unless it results in more than 40 hours worked in the workweek.

Using the Calculator

Our Texas Overtime Pay Calculator helps you estimate your overtime earnings based on FLSA rules. Simply enter your regular hourly rate, the total hours you worked in the week, and any non-discretionary bonuses or commissions you received for that week. The calculator will determine your "regular rate of pay," your overtime hours, the additional overtime premium, and your total estimated weekly pay before any deductions.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on general FLSA guidelines applicable in Texas. It is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Specific situations may vary, and it's always recommended to consult with an HR professional or legal expert for personalized guidance regarding your employment and pay.

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