Overtime Calculator
Work out your hourly rate and what overtime, Sunday and public holiday work add to your monthly pay.
Your pay and hours
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values, so the results above match this example until you change an input.
Johan earns R 12 000 a month for a 45-hour week. This month he works 10 hours of overtime and one 8-hour Sunday shift, and he does not usually work on Sundays.
His hourly rate is monthly pay ÷ (45 × 4.33), which is R 61,59 an hour. Overtime at 1.5 times that is R 92,38 an hour.
The 10 overtime hours and the Sunday shift at double pay add R 1 909,16, so his pay for the month is R 13 909,16.
Overtime rules in the BCEA
Ordinary hours may not be more than 45 a week. Overtime must be agreed, may not be more than 3 hours a day or 10 hours a week, and is paid at least 1.5 times your normal wage, or by agreement as paid time off (section 10 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997).
| Type of work | Minimum pay |
|---|---|
| Overtime | 1.5 × hourly rate |
| Sunday, if you do not usually work Sundays | 2 × hourly rate for the hours worked |
| Sunday, if you usually work Sundays | 1.5 × hourly rate |
| Public holiday that is a normal work day | Double pay for the day: your normal pay plus the hours worked |
| Public holiday that is not a normal work day | Your normal day’s pay plus the hours worked |
Who the overtime rules cover
The overtime, Sunday and night work rules do not have to apply to senior managers, sales staff who travel and set their own hours, or employees who earn more than the BCEA earnings threshold, which is R 269 900,90 a year (about R 22 491 a month) from 1 May 2026. If you earn more than that, check your contract for what you are paid for extra hours.
How this calculator works
Your hourly rate is your monthly pay divided by your weekly hours × 4.33. Overtime hours are paid at 1.5 times the rate, Sunday hours at 2 times (1.5 times if you usually work Sundays), and public holiday hours on a normal work day add one extra hour’s pay each on top of your salary, which already covers the day. It does not include night work allowances or shift premiums from a bargaining council.
Sections 9, 10, 16, 18 and 35 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997. Earnings threshold as gazetted by the Department of Employment and Labour, effective 1 May 2026. Checked 16 October 2026. This page is general educational information, not legal or tax advice. Sectoral determinations, bargaining council agreements and your contract can give you more than the legal minimum.
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Open calculator →Frequently asked questions
How is overtime calculated in South Africa?
At least 1.5 times your normal hourly wage for each hour of overtime. For a monthly earner, the hourly wage is the monthly pay divided by the weekly hours times 4.33.
How much overtime can I work?
No more than 3 hours a day and 10 hours a week, unless a collective agreement allows more, and only if you agree to it.
Is Sunday work double pay?
Yes, if you do not usually work on Sundays. If Sunday is one of your normal work days, the minimum is 1.5 times your hourly rate.
Do overtime rules apply if I earn a high salary?
Not necessarily. Employees earning more than R 269 900,90 a year are excluded from the BCEA overtime rules, so their contract decides.