Calculate your overtime pay in Tennessee based on your hourly rate and hours worked. Reflects 2026 FLSA rules and Tennessee-specific overtime requirements.
Tennessee follows the federal FLSA. Overtime is 1.5x for all hours beyond 40 in a workweek. Tennessee has no state minimum wage or state overtime law above the federal standard.
| Rule | Tennessee Requirement |
|---|---|
| Weekly OT Threshold | 40 hours/week |
| Daily OT Rule | No daily OT rule (weekly threshold only) |
| Double Time | No double-time requirement |
| 7th Consecutive Day | No special 7th-day rule |
| State Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (2026) |
| Federal OT Rate | 1.5x regular rate (FLSA) |
Your overtime rate is based on your regular rate of pay, not just your base hourly wage. The regular rate includes hourly wages, piece-rate pay, and most non-discretionary bonuses. Divide total weekly compensation by total hours worked to get your true regular rate before applying the 1.5x multiplier.
Example: If your base rate is $20/hour and you work 45 hours in one week, your overtime pay is: 5 hours × ($20 × 1.5) = $150 in overtime, for a total of $950 that week.
Not all workers are entitled to overtime pay. The FLSA establishes several exemption categories. If you fall into one of these, your employer may not owe overtime regardless of hours worked.
| Exemption | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Executive | Salary ≥ $684/week; primary duty is management; directs 2+ employees |
| Administrative | Salary ≥ $684/week; primary duty is office/non-manual work related to management |
| Professional | Salary ≥ $684/week; advanced knowledge in field of science or learning |
| Highly Compensated | Total annual compensation ≥ $107,432; performs exempt duties |
| Computer Employees | Salary ≥ $684/week or $27.63/hour; specialized computer-related duties |
| Outside Sales | Primary duty is making sales away from employer's place of business |
Note: Tennessee may have additional or narrower exemptions under state law. Consult a qualified employment attorney for your specific situation.
Tennessee follows the federal FLSA. Overtime is 1.5x for all hours beyond 40 in a workweek. Tennessee has no state minimum wage or state overtime law above the federal standard. Use the calculator at the top of this page to get an instant estimate based on your actual hours and pay rate.
Time and a half means 1.5 times your regular rate of pay. If you earn $18/hour, your overtime rate is $27/hour ($18 × 1.5). Your employer must pay this for all qualifying overtime hours, and cannot substitute comp time in most private-sector jobs.
The minimum wage in Tennessee is $7.25 per hour in 2026. Overtime pay must be at least 1.5x this rate, but if your regular rate is higher, overtime is calculated at 1.5x your actual rate.
Under the FLSA and Tennessee law, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5x their regular rate for all qualifying overtime hours. Employers cannot waive this requirement, and employees cannot agree to forego overtime pay. If you believe your employer is withholding overtime pay, contact the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division or the Tennessee labor department.
Salaried employees may still be entitled to overtime if they earn below the FLSA salary threshold ($684/week / $35,568/year). Being paid a salary does not automatically make an employee exempt. The exemption depends on salary level and job duties. Many salaried workers in Tennessee qualify for overtime pay.