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How to Calculate Double Time Pay

Double time means 2× your hourly rate. Learn when it's required (mostly California), when it's just employer policy, and how to calculate it.

4 min read

Double time is exactly what it sounds like: twice your regular hourly rate. At $25/hour, double time is $50/hour. It is much rarer than time and a half.

When double time is required

Federal law does not require double time at all. California is the only state that mandates it: for hours over 12 in a workday, and for hours beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive day in a week. Everywhere else, double time only applies if your employer's policy or union contract provides it, often for holidays.

Calculating it

Multiply your rate by 2 for each double-time hour. In the calculator, choose the 2× multiplier for an employer holiday policy, or pick California and enter daily hours to apply the legal double-time rule automatically.