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Shift Differential Calculator
See what a night, evening or weekend shift differential adds to your hourly rate, your weekly paycheck and your year.
What is a shift differential?
A shift differential, sometimes called shift pay or a shift premium, is extra pay on top of your base hourly rate for working hours that are harder to staff: evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Hospitals, factories, warehouses, call centers and public safety employers use them most. If you are wondering what shift differential means on an offer, it is the gap between the day rate and the rate for your shift.
How to calculate shift differential pay
For a flat differential, add it to your base rate for each qualifying hour. At $25 an hour with a $3 night differential, those hours pay $28. For a percentage differential, multiply your base rate by the percent: 10% of $25 is $2.50, so those hours pay $27.50. Multiply by the hours that qualify to get the extra pay. If only some of your hours qualify, enter just those hours and the calculator blends them into one average hourly rate.
Night shift and evening shift differential
Employers define the hours differently. Evening differentials often start in the afternoon and run until about midnight, while a night shift differential covers the overnight hours, and some employers pay more on weekends and holidays. The amounts differ a lot between employers and contracts, so use your own numbers. The example buttons above are only starting points.
Shift differential and overtime
Under US wage rules for non-exempt workers, overtime is based on your regular rate, which generally includes shift differentials. That makes each overtime hour worth more than it would be on base pay alone. This calculator includes that, and its overtime line follows the threshold you set. For a full breakdown of hours past the limit, use the overtime calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shift differential?
A shift differential is extra pay added to your base hourly rate for working less desirable hours, such as evenings, nights, weekends or holidays. It is usually a flat amount per hour, like $2, or a percentage of your base rate, like 10%.
What does shift differential mean on a job posting?
It means the employer pays more for certain shifts than the base rate listed. A posting that says "$24/hr + night differential" pays $24 for day hours and more for the hours that count as night. Ask HR which hours qualify and how the differential is paid.
How do I calculate a shift differential?
For a flat differential, add it to your base rate for each qualifying hour: $20 plus $3 is $23 an hour. For a percentage, multiply the base rate by the percent: 10% of $30 is $3, so those hours pay $33. Then multiply by the hours that qualify.
How much is a typical night shift differential?
It varies by employer, industry and state. Many are a flat amount of roughly $1 to $5 an hour or about 5% to 15% of the base rate, but contracts differ a lot. Use the amount in your offer letter, contract or pay policy.
Does a shift differential count toward overtime?
In the US, non-exempt employees' overtime is based on the regular rate of pay, which generally includes shift differentials. The calculator raises your overtime rate accordingly. Check with your employer or the Department of Labor for your situation.
Is a shift differential required by law?
In the US there is no federal law requiring a shift differential; it comes from your employer, contract or union agreement. Some other countries set night work premiums by law or collective agreement.
Is my pay information saved?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Your pay and hours are never uploaded or stored.