Construction Overtime Calculator
Certified payroll punishes small mistakes. This calculator splits the prevailing wage into base and fringe, keeps bona fide fringes out of the overtime premium, and handles crews that switch rates and classifications inside one week.
Your Construction & Trades Week
Construction & Trades Overtime Rules at a Glance
| Federal overtime | 1.5× after 40 hours (CWHSSA on federal jobs) |
|---|---|
| Prevailing wage | Base + fringe on covered projects |
| Bona fide fringes | Excluded from the overtime premium |
| Cash in lieu of fringes | Included in the regular rate |
| Travel | Site-to-site travel during the day is paid |
Where Construction & Trades Overtime Goes Wrong
Overtime paid on base + fringe
Overtime premium is owed on the base rate plus any cash paid in lieu of fringes. Bona fide benefit contributions are excluded — paying premium on them overstates cost and muddles certified payroll.
Two classifications, one blended rate ignored
A carpenter who spent 20 hours as a laborer has two rates that week. Overtime uses the weighted average of the hours actually worked in each classification.
Yard-to-site and tool-pickup time unpaid
Once the workday starts — loading tools, mandatory shop meetups, hauling materials between sites — travel is compensable and counts toward 40.
Rules and Terms That Apply to trades, crews, and field staff
Construction & Trades Overtime FAQ
Other Industry Overtime Calculators
Start from the workforce management hub, or map your whole schedule with the time tracking hub.
Calculate Overtime by State
Select your state for accurate 2026 overtime calculations