Back Pay Calculator: Am I Owed Unpaid Wages?
If you were paid straight time for overtime, worked off the clock, or earned below the minimum wage, you may be owed back pay. Enter what you earned and what you were paid to estimate the unpaid wages and your recovery window under the FLSA.
Estimate unpaid wages + a 2-to-3-year recovery window
Your situation
Unpaid overtime estimate
- Size of the weekly gap. About 9% of a typical week's correct pay looks unpaid.
- Total back pay at stake. The amount is large enough that most wage attorneys will take a look.
- How long it ran. 26 recoverable weeks within the federal 2-year window.
- Standard 2-year window. No willful-violation signal entered, so the federal look-back is 2 years.
The Claim Kit is a printable demand letter pre-filled with your figures, your state's filing route, and a step-by-step complaint guide. The case review is free and carries no obligation.
This is an estimate from the figures you entered, not legal advice or a guarantee of recovery. Wage law has local exceptions and strict deadlines — confirm with your state labor department or an employment attorney.
Notes
- Federal law (FLSA) lets you recover up to 2 years of back wages, or 3 years if the violation was willful, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Many states allow a longer look-back or extra penalties on top of the federal back pay. Pick your state to see the agency you'd file with.
- Overtime is 1.5× your regular rate for hours over 40 in a week — being salaried does not by itself make you exempt.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I'm owed overtime back pay?
If you worked more than 40 hours in a week and were paid your normal rate (not 1.5×) for the extra hours, the unpaid premium is back pay you can usually recover for up to 2 years (3 if willful).
How far back can I claim unpaid wages?
Under the FLSA, 2 years, or 3 years for a willful violation. Some states allow longer — New York, for example, allows a 6-year look-back.
Can I get more than the wages I was underpaid?
Often yes. The FLSA allows liquidated damages equal to the back pay (doubling it), and several states add their own penalties of 2× or 3× the unpaid amount.