This handy 12 hour shift pay calculator help accurately determine regular hours, overtime, and shift differentials to compute the total pay for workers on 12-hour shifts.
A nurse working in a hospital use 12 hour pay calculator to verify their paycheck for a week of 12-hour night shifts.
12-Hour Shift Pay Calculator
| Scenario | Regular Hours | Overtime Hours | Hourly Rate | Shift Differential | Total Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | 36 | 4 | $25 | $0 | $1,050 |
| Night | 36 | 4 | $25 | $2/hour | $1,122 |
| Weekend | 24 | 12 | $30 | $3/hour | $1,062 |
| Holiday | 12 | 12 | $35 | $5/hour | $840 |
| Extended Weekday (2 Shifts) | 72 | 8 | $28 | $0 | $2,064 |
| Night Shift with Extra Hours | 36 | 8 | $30 | $2/hour | $1,392 |
| Weekend Double Time | 24 | 16 | $32 | $3/hour | $1,536 |
| Holiday Double Shift | 24 | 24 | $40 | $5/hour | $1,680 |
| Regular Week with Bonus | 40 | 0 | $25 | $4/hour | $1,200 |
| Part-Time Weekend Worker | 24 | 0 | $20 | $2/hour | $528 |
| Overtime Heavy Week | 32 | 16 | $30 | $3/hour | $1,320 |
| Night Shift with Full Overtime | 36 | 12 | $35 | $2/hour | $1,530 |
| Holiday with Night Differential | 12 | 12 | $30 | $6/hour | $840 |
12-Hour Shift Pay Formula
Total Pay = Base Pay + Overtime Pay + Shift DifferentialThe formula for calculating 12-hour shift pay typically involves the following components:
- Base Pay = (Regular Hours x Hourly Rate)
- Overtime Pay = (Overtime Hours x Overtime Rate)
- Shift Differential = (Eligible Hours x Differential Rate)
Sarah works as a manufacturing technician earning $20/hour. She works three 12-hour shifts in a week, with a $2/hour night shift differential.
- Regular Hours: 36 (3 x 12)
- Overtime Hours: 4 (anything over 40 hours/week)
- Night Shift Hours: 36
Calculation:
Base Pay = 36 x $20 = $720
Overtime Pay = 4 x ($20 x 1.5) = $120
Shift Differential = 36 x $2 = $72
Total Pay = $720 + $120 + $72 = $912
How do you calculate overtime on a 12-hour shift?
Overtime on a 12-hour shift begins after 40 hours worked in a week or 8 hours in a day, whichever is more beneficial to the employee.
For a typical 12-hour shift worker:
Determine regular hours (usually 40 per week)
Calculate hours worked beyond 40
Apply overtime rate (typically 1.5x regular pay)
John works four 12-hour shifts in a week (48 hours total).
- Regular hours: 40
- Overtime hours: 8
- Regular pay: $25/hour
- Overtime rate: $37.50/hour (1.5x regular)
Calculation:
- Regular pay: 40 x $25 = $1000
- Overtime pay: 8 x $37.50 = $300
- Total weekly pay: $1000 + $300 = $1300
How many hours do you get paid for a 12-hour shift?
In most cases, you get paid for all 12 hours of a 12-hour shift.
Regular Pay: First 8 hours (or up to 40 hours/week)
Overtime Pay: Hours beyond 8 per day or 40 per week
Meal Breaks: Typically unpaid, but policies vary
Emma works three 12-hour shifts per week as a security guard.
- Shift 1 & 2: 24 hours at regular pay
- Shift 3: 8 hours regular pay, 4 hours overtime
- 30-minute unpaid meal break per shift
Total Paid Hours: 35.5 regular + 4 overtime = 39.5 hours4/4 off 12-hour shifts: How’s pay calculated?
The 4/4 off schedule involves working four 12-hour shifts followed by four days off. This cycle repeats, resulting in an average of 42 hours per week over an 8-week period.
- Calculate regular hours (usually 40/week)
- Calculate overtime for hours exceeding 40
- Factor in any shift differentials
Tom works a 4/4 off schedule with $30/hour base pay. Week 1: 48 hours (4 x 12)
Week 2: 36 hours (3 x 12)
Calculation (for a two-week pay period):
Regular pay: 80 x $30 = $2400
Overtime: 4 x ($30 x 1.5) = $180
Total pay: $2400 + $180 = $2580
How many 12-hour shifts is needed for 40 hours?
To reach 40 hours with 12-hour shifts:
- 3 full shifts = 36 hours
- Plus an additional 4 hours (partial shift or extra time)
Some schedules use a combination of 12-hour and 8-hour shifts to achieve 40 hours.
- Monday: 12 hours
- Tuesday: 12 hours
- Wednesday: 12 hours
- Thursday: 4 hours
- Total: 40 hours
Sources / References
- U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Calculating Overtime Pay: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/how-to-guides/pages/calculateovertimepay.aspx
- National Nurses United – Shift Work and Extended Work Hours: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/shift-work-and-extended-work-hours
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