Holiday Pay Calculator: time and a half on holidays and overtime
Enter one workweek to see how your employer’s holiday rate interacts with federal overtime. Paid holiday hours not worked do not count toward overtime.
Under 29 CFR 778.202/778.203, a qualifying holiday premium can be credited against the weekly overtime premium.
Under 29 CFR 778.203, a holiday premium under time and a half raises the regular rate and cannot be credited toward overtime.
No federal law requires holiday pay or a premium. This assumes FLSA-covered, non-exempt work at one rate with no bonuses. State laws, union contracts and federal-contract rules may differ and are not applied.
Full observed-date list for 2026 and 2027 from OPM, including New Year’s Day 2028 observed in 2027. These dates apply to most federal employees; private employer policies may differ.
Observed date
US federal holiday
New Year's Day
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Washington's Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Independence Day (observed)
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year's Day
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Washington's Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day (observed)
Independence Day (observed)
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day (observed)
New Year's Day 2028 (observed)
How it works
Hours worked = holiday hours worked + other hours worked. Paid holiday hours not worked are excluded. Weekly overtime uses the federal threshold and multiplier. Holiday premiums of at least time and a half can offset the overtime premium; smaller premiums enter the regular rate and cannot be credited. Each money line rounds half up to cents; totals add the rounded lines.
Worked examples
$20/hour, 8 holiday hours and 32 other hours at 1.5×: $800 straight time + $80 holiday premium = $880.
$20/hour, 8 holiday hours and 40 other hours at 1.5×: the $80 holiday premium covers the $80 overtime premium. Minimum total: $1,040; both premiums paid separately: $1,120.
$20/hour, 40 hours worked and 8 paid holiday hours off: $800 + $160 = $960, with no overtime.
Common questions
Is holiday pay required by law?
The FLSA does not require pay for holidays not worked or a holiday premium. These benefits are generally an agreement between the employer and employee. State laws, union contracts and federal-contract rules may differ.
Is holiday pay time and a half?
Only if your employer’s policy provides it; federal law does not require a holiday premium. A holiday rate of at least time and a half can qualify for a credit against statutory overtime. A lower premium enters the regular rate and cannot be credited.
Do holiday hours count toward overtime?
Hours actually worked on a holiday count toward the workweek’s hours worked. Paid holiday hours not worked do not count toward overtime under 29 CFR 778.218.
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