Double Time Pay Calculator: When You Get 2× Pay (2026 Guide)

What Is Double Time Pay?

Double time (often written as "2×" or "DT") is a premium pay rate equal to twice your regular hourly rate. Unlike time and a half (1.5×), double time is not required by federal law — it is mandated only by certain state laws and union contracts in 2026.

The Double Time Formula

• Double Time Rate = Hourly Rate × 2.0
• Double Time Pay = Double Time Rate × Qualifying Hours

Skip the math — use our Overtime Pay Calculator and select California to see double time applied automatically.

When Is Double Time Required?

California (the main state)

• 2× after 12 hours in a single workday
• 2× after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day of a workweek

Union Contracts (nationwide)

Many collective bargaining agreements require double time for Sundays and federal holidays, hours beyond 12 in a day, and work performed during scheduled time off.

Federal Contractors

Some Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon Act contracts include double-time provisions.

Double Time Calculation Examples

Example 1 — California 14-Hour Shift

A nurse earning $45/hour works a 14-hour shift:

| Hours | Rate | Pay |

|---|---|---|

| 0–8 (regular) | $45 × 1.0 | $360.00 |

| 8–12 (1.5×) | $45 × 1.5 | $270.00 |

| 12–14 (2×) | $45 × 2.0 | $180.00 |

| Total | | $810.00 |

Example 2 — 7th Consecutive Day in California

A retail worker earning $20/hour has already worked 6 days this week and works a 10-hour shift on day 7:

| Hours | Rate | Pay |

|---|---|---|

| 0–8 on day 7 (1.5×) | $20 × 1.5 | $240.00 |

| 8–10 on day 7 (2×) | $20 × 2.0 | $80.00 |

| Day 7 total | | $320.00 |

Double Time vs. Time and a Half

| Feature | Time and a Half (1.5×) | Double Time (2×) |

|---|---|---|

| Federal requirement | Yes, over 40 hrs/wk | No |

| California trigger | 8+ hrs/day or 40+ hrs/wk | 12+ hrs/day; 8+ hrs on 7th day |

| Common in union jobs | Yes | Yes (holidays, Sundays) |

| Most states require? | Yes | No |

States Without Mandatory Double Time

46 states + DC do not require double time under state law. In these states, double time is only paid if your employer policy or union contract mandates it.

Does Holiday Pay Count as Double Time?

Federal law does not require any premium pay for working on holidays. Many employers voluntarily pay 1.5× or 2× on holidays — check your employee handbook. Two state exceptions in 2026: Rhode Island requires 1.5× for most non-exempt retail workers on Sundays and holidays, and Massachusetts has voluntary premium pay rules for retail employees on certain holidays.

Calculate Your Double Time Pay

Try our free Overtime Calculator — switch to California to see live daily double-time math, or use the California-specific calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is double time pay mandatory?

Only in California (and a handful of niche federal/union situations). The FLSA does not require double time.

How do I calculate double time for $25 an hour?

$25 × 2 = $50/hour for every double-time hour.

Do I get double time on Sundays?

Only if your state law (very rare), employer policy, or union contract requires it. Federally, Sunday is just another workday.

Does double time apply after 16 hours?

Federally, no. In California, hours 12+ are paid at 2×, so yes — hour 16 would be paid at double time.

Run your own numbers

The time and a half calculator displays both the time-and-a-half and double-time rate for any wage, and you can browse every related tool in our full index of overtime calculators.