What is double time pay? Double time pay is wages paid at twice your regular hourly rate. Federal law does not require double time. Workers usually get it because of employer policy, a union contract or a state law. California, for example, requires double time for some very long workdays.
What does double time mean at work?
Double time is a premium rate that’s higher than standard overtime. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt workers must get at least time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Double time goes beyond that minimum.
Common situations where employers pay double time:
- Working on a major holiday, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas
- Working a very long shift, beyond a set number of hours
- Working on a scheduled day off or a seventh straight day
- Emergency call-ins, under some union agreements
Some states set double time rules. California generally requires double time for hours worked over 12 in a workday, and for hours over 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek. Most states don’t require double time at all.
How to calculate double time pay
Formula: Regular hourly rate × 2 × double time hours
Example: Alex earns $18 per hour and works 6 hours on a holiday that the employer pays at double time.
- $18 × 2 = $36 per hour
- $36 × 6 hours = $216
Mixed example: in a state with daily overtime, a worker earning $20 an hour works a 14-hour day.
- First 8 hours at $20 = $160
- Next 4 hours at time and a half ($30) = $120
- Last 2 hours at double time ($40) = $80
- Total: $360
Examples of double time in emails and messages
Manager Slack: “Anyone who covers Christmas Day gets double time.”
Union agreement: “Hours worked beyond 12 consecutive hours shall be paid at double time.”
Pay stub: “DT 2.00 hrs @ $44.00 = $88.00”
Employee question: “Does the holiday double time stack with my night shift differential?”
Double time vs time and a half
| Time and a half | Double time | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 1.5× regular rate | 2× regular rate |
| Federally required? | Yes, for non-exempt hours over 40 a week | No |
| Common triggers | Weekly overtime | Holidays, very long days, union rules, some state laws |
| $20/hr example | $30/hr | $40/hr |
Learn more about time and a half.
How to check double time pay correctly
- Read your policy or contract. It should say exactly when double time applies.
- Know your state rules. Look up your state labor department’s overtime page.
- Check your pay stub. Look for “DT” or “Double Time” with hours and rate.
- Ask how premiums combine. Policies differ on whether holiday pay, overtime and shift differentials stack.
- Track your own hours on long shifts so you can compare with payroll.
Related terms
See more in our Payroll and Tax hub.
FAQ
Is double time required by law?
Not under federal law. A few states, such as California, require double time in certain situations. Otherwise, it comes from employer policy or union contracts.
How do you calculate double time?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 2, then by the number of double time hours. At $18 an hour, 5 double time hours pay $180.
Do you get double time on holidays?
Only if your employer’s policy or contract says so. Federal law doesn’t require extra pay for working on holidays.
Does double time apply to salaried employees?
Exempt salaried employees usually don’t get double time. Non-exempt salaried employees may, if a policy or state law requires it.
What does DT mean on a pay stub?
DT usually stands for double time, showing hours paid at twice the regular rate.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Check with a qualified professional for your situation.
