Union Overtime Calculator

Many union contracts set a custom daily overtime threshold that differs from federal or state rules. Enter your CBA's threshold below to calculate your overtime pay accurately.

Enter the hours you worked each day. We'll automatically split regular hours from overtime based on your union contract threshold.

Daily hours worked and automatically calculated regular and overtime hours
DayHours WorkedReg / OT (auto)
Totals0.0 hrsReg: 0.0 OT: 0.0

How Union Overtime Differs From Federal and State Rules

Union overtime is set by your collective bargaining agreement (CBA), not by state or federal law — and CBA terms can be more generous than the legal minimum. The most common difference: many union contracts include a daily overtime threshold that triggers OT based on hours worked in a single day, regardless of your weekly total.

Common daily thresholds by industry:

  • 8 hours — construction, film/TV production, longshore work
  • 10 hours — some entertainment and production contracts
  • Custom — check your specific CBA for the exact threshold and multiplier

If you're not sure what threshold applies to you, check your CBA or ask your union steward. The calculator above defaults to an 8-hour daily threshold, which is the most common.

Worked Example: 8-Hour Daily Threshold

A union worker earning $28/hour with an 8-hour daily threshold works a 10-hour shift:

  • First 8 hours: regular pay at $28/hr = $224.00
  • Next 2 hours: overtime at $28 × 1.5 = $42/hr = $84.00
  • Total for the day: $308.00

Union Contracts and Multiple Pay Rates

Many union contracts layer shift differentials and multiple pay rates on top of daily overtime — for example, a different rate for travel time, night shifts, or certified work. When you earn more than one rate in the same week, overtime is calculated using a weighted average of all your rates, which can make the math more complex than a single-rate calculation.

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