How to use it
- Enter your base rate and the differential, in dollars per hour or as a percentage.
- Enter hours on differential shifts and hours on regular shifts this week.
- See your shift rate, total pay, regular rate and overtime premium.
The formula
Shift rate = base rate + differential
Regular rate = (base × all hours + differential × shift hours) ÷ all hours
Overtime premium = 0.5 × regular rate × hours over 40
Example: $20 base, $2 night differential, 25 night hours and 20 day hours = 45 hours. Straight-time pay $950, regular rate $21.11, overtime premium 5 × $10.56 = $52.78. Total $1,002.78.
Good to know
- Paying overtime at 1.5 × the base rate only (ignoring the differential) underpays you; the calculator shows by how much.
- Night differentials of about 10% or $1–3 an hour are common in hospitals, warehouses and manufacturing.
- Federal employees have their own differentials: 10% for night work and 25% for Sunday work.
Questions
What is a shift differential?
Extra pay for working less desirable hours, such as nights, weekends or holidays. It's set by your employer or union contract; federal law doesn't require it for private employers.
Is shift differential included in overtime?
Yes. Under 29 CFR 778.207(b), shift differentials are part of the regular rate, so overtime has to be calculated on the higher, blended rate.
How do I calculate a 10% night differential?
Multiply your base rate by 0.10 and add it. At $24/hour, the differential is $2.40, so night hours pay $26.40.