Holiday Pay Calculator
Calculate premium pay for hours worked on a holiday, plus any regular hours, at whatever multiplier your employer offers.
How it works
Holiday pay = rate × multiplier × holiday hours · Total = holiday pay + rate × regular hours
Holiday pay premiums are set by employer policy or union contract, not federal law — the FLSA does not require extra pay for working a holiday. Common structures are time-and-a-half or double time for hours worked on the holiday itself. This tool applies your chosen multiplier to the holiday hours while paying the rest of the week at the regular rate.
Worked example
At $20/hour working 8 hours on a holiday at time-and-a-half: 20 × 1.5 × 8 = $240. Add 32 regular hours at $20 = $640, for a weekly total of $880.
Frequently asked questions
Is holiday pay required by law?
Not under federal law. The Fair Labor Standards Act does not mandate premium pay for holidays worked or paid time off for holidays not worked — those are matters of company policy or a collective bargaining agreement.
What is the most common holiday premium?
Time-and-a-half (1.5×) is the most common, though many employers and unions offer double time, and some pay a regular day of holiday pay on top of hours worked.
Does holiday pay count toward overtime?
Generally, paid holiday hours that are not actually worked do not count toward the 40-hour overtime threshold; only hours actually worked do. Check your employer’s policy, as it can vary.
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Educational payroll estimate, not tax, payroll or legal advice. Rules and rates vary by jurisdiction and employer — confirm with your payroll department.