The nurse overtime calculator computes your total nursing earnings including base pay, overtime at 1.5x or 2x, and shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends.
Base Pay
Hours below 40 (no overtime)
Shift Differentials
Enter differential amount + hours per week for each shift type
Enter your pay details to calculate total nurse earnings.
Annual Total Earnings
Earnings Breakdown
How to Calculate Nurse Overtime and Total Pay
The nurse overtime calculator helps RNs understand their true total compensation when working extended hours with shift differentials.
Understanding Shift Differentials
Shift differentials reward nurses for working less desirable hours. A $4/hour night differential for 36 weekly night-shift hours adds $7,488/year — nearly as much as a full step increase in many pay scales. Include all differential categories to see your true base compensation before overtime.
Overtime Calculation for 12-Hour Shifts
Under federal FLSA rules, overtime kicks in at 40 hours per week. For nurses on 12-hour shifts: 3 shifts = 36 hours (no OT), 4 shifts = 48 hours (8 OT hours at 1.5x). California nurses trigger overtime after 8 hours in a single shift — a 12-hour shift means 4 OT hours every shift worked.
Travel Nursing vs Staff Nursing Pay
Travel nurses often receive a lower hourly "taxable wage" combined with large tax-free housing and meal stipends. The taxable wage may be $20/hour while the blended rate (including stipends) reaches $45-55/hour effectively. When comparing travel and staff offers, calculate total weekly take-home pay, not just hourly rates.
FAQ
Is this nurse overtime calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run in your browser.
How is nurse overtime calculated?
Most nurses are paid 1.5x (time-and-a-half) for hours over 40 per week under federal FLSA rules. Some states (like California) require overtime after 8 hours in a day. Travel nurses and per diem nurses may have different overtime thresholds based on their contracts.
What is a nursing shift differential?
Shift differentials are extra pay for working evening, night, or weekend shifts. Evening differentials are typically $2-4/hour extra, night differentials $3-6/hour, and weekend differentials $2-5/hour. These add up significantly over a year — a $3/hour night differential on a 36-hour night-shift schedule adds about $5,600/year.
How much do nurses make with overtime?
A staff RN earning $38/hour working 12-hour shifts 3 days/week (36 hours) earns about $71,000/year base. Working 4 days/week (48 hours — 8 OT hours/week) at 1.5x brings annual earnings to approximately $89,000 — a 25% increase from 12 extra hours of overtime weekly.
Do travel nurses get overtime?
Travel nurses are entitled to overtime under the FLSA. However, some travel nursing agencies structure pay packages with high tax-free stipends and lower hourly rates, which can reduce the OT premium. Always clarify the overtime calculation method with your agency before accepting an assignment.