Wages and overtime: check your hours
Federal overtime is a floor, not the complete answer. Your state, job duties and exemptions can change the calculation.
Federal workweek rule
More than 40 hours in a workweek
Covered, nonexempt employees generally must receive at least one-and-a-half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Averaging two workweeks does not replace this calculation.
Check the state and your job
State protections may differ
Some states add protections, such as daily overtime. Check the labor agency for your state and any applicable local law. A job title alone does not establish an overtime exemption.
What to do next
Try the federal overtime estimator. A creditor trying to garnish pay raises a different question. Use the garnishment calculator and the state debt guide for that issue.
Sources and scope
Checked September 25, 2026. Federal baseline unless a state page below says otherwise. Read the current source and seek qualified help for your situation.