Shift Pay Calculator
Calculate exact shift pay including night differentials, weekend premiums, holidays, and overtime.
1 Base Rate
2 Premiums & Differentials
3 Tips (if applicable)
✓ Shift Pay Summary
Total Shift Pay
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Effective Hourly Rate
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Breakdown
Base payโ
Totalโ
Earnings Projection
Weekly (5 shifts)
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Monthly (22 shifts)
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Yearly (260 shifts)
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Try Shifty FreeHow to Calculate Shift Pay in a Restaurant
Calculating shift pay gets complicated when you factor in night differentials, holiday premiums, and overtime. Here are the formulas for each component:
Pay Calculation Formulas
Base pay = Hourly rate × Shift hours
Night diff = Night premium × Shift hours
Weekend = Weekend premium × Shift hours
Holiday = (Rate × Multiplier − Rate) × Shift hours
Overtime = Rate × 0.5 × OT hours
Typical Premiums in US Restaurants
| Premium Type | Typical Amount | When Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Night shift | +$1โ$3/hr | After 10 PM or 11 PM |
| Weekend | +$2โ$5/hr | Saturday and Sunday |
| Holiday | 1.5xโ2.5x rate | Federal and local holidays |
| Overtime | 1.5x rate | After 40 hrs/week (or 8 hrs/day in CA) |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a restaurant required to pay night shift differential?
US federal law does not mandate night differentials. However, many restaurants offer +$1โ$3/hr for late shifts to attract and retain workers. Some states and union contracts may require it.
How do I calculate holiday shift pay?
The standard practice is double time (2x). For example, at $15/hr for an 8-hour holiday shift: $15 ร 2 ร 8 = $240 instead of the usual $120. Some establishments pay 1.5x or 2.5x.
How does overtime factor into shift pay?
If an employee has already worked 40 hours that week, all additional hours are paid at 1.5x. For example, 2 OT hours at $15/hr: 2 ร $15 ร 1.5 = $45 instead of $30.
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