Under Alabama overtime laws you earn no state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate, and no daily overtime in Alabama — only the weekly total counts. The minimum wage is No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers.
This guide gives the exact alabama overtime laws rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next. Rules verified against Alabama Department of Labor on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Alabama Department of Labor or an attorney before you rely on it.
Alabama Overtime Laws at a Glance
| Minimum wage | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers |
| Weekly overtime | No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate |
| Daily overtime | No daily overtime in Alabama — only the weekly total counts |
| Rate | 1.5 times the regular rate (double time only where the row says so) |
| State overtime statute | No |
In This Alabama Overtime Laws Guide:
Alabama Overtime Laws: The Rules
No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate. No daily overtime in Alabama — only the weekly total counts. The overtime rate is one and a half times your regular rate of pay — the regular rate includes non-discretionary bonuses and shift differentials, not just the base wage.
How to Calculate Overtime Under Alabama Overtime Laws
Take your total pay for the week, divide by the hours you worked to get the regular rate, and multiply the overtime hours by 1.5 times that rate. A worker paid No an hour who works 48 hours in a 40-hour state is owed 8 hours at time and a half.
Salary does not mean exempt: a salaried worker below the exemption tests still gets overtime on the hours over the threshold.
Alabama Overtime Laws at a Glance
Rules verified against Alabama Department of Labor on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Alabama Department of Labor or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.
| Minimum wage | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers |
| Weekly overtime | No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate |
| Daily overtime | No daily overtime in Alabama — only the weekly total counts |
| Rate | 1.5 times the regular rate (double time only where the row says so) |
| State overtime statute | No |
Who Is Exempt From Alabama Overtime Laws
In Alabama, overtime exemptions follow the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The main exempt groups are salaried executives, administrative employees, learned and creative professionals, certain computer employees, and outside sales workers. Except for outside sales, most of these workers must also be paid on a salary basis at or above the federal minimum salary level and must actually do exempt duties. A job title alone does not make someone exempt.
Daily Overtime and Alabama Overtime Laws
Alabama has no daily overtime rule: a 12-hour day in a 36-hour week earns no premium, because only the weekly total counts. Federal law generally does not let private employers in Alabama give comp time instead of overtime pay. Comp time in place of overtime is allowed only for public-sector employers under specific FLSA rules.
Is Overtime Taxed Differently Under Alabama Overtime Laws?
No — overtime is ordinary wages and is taxed at the same income-tax rates as the rest of your pay; it can push more of your pay into a higher withholding bracket on one check, but the annual tax rate does not change. Alabama has no state minimum wage, so the federal tip credit rules apply.
For tipped workers, overtime is calculated on the full federal minimum wage, not the lower cash wage. The employer can’t take a bigger tip credit during overtime hours than during regular hours.
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How to Claim Unpaid Overtime Under Alabama Overtime Laws
Alabama has no state overtime law and no state wage-and-hour office, so unpaid overtime claims go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. You can file a confidential complaint by phone or online; you don’t need a special form, and pay stubs and records of your hours help.
Federal law limits how far back you can recover, with a longer window if the violation was willful, so it’s best to confirm your deadline with the Wage and Hour Division soon.
Other Alabama Overtime Laws Rules to Know
Alabama overtime laws apply alongside the federal FLSA; where the two differ the worker gets the more generous rule. Mandatory overtime is legal for most adult workers unless a contract or a nurse-specific statute says otherwise.
Think you are owed overtime? The wage-claim agency takes the complaint for free.
Alabama — the bottom line
- Alabama overtime laws start the premium no state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate — count the week, not the day.
- Under alabama overtime laws the rate is 1.5 times the regular rate, and the regular rate includes your bonuses and differentials.
- Alabama overtime laws are enforced by a free wage claim — you do not need a lawyer to recover unpaid overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I get overtime under Alabama overtime laws?
No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate. No daily overtime in Alabama — only the weekly total counts.
What is the overtime rate in Alabama?
One and a half times your regular rate of pay, which includes non-discretionary bonuses and shift pay.
Does Alabama have daily overtime?
No daily overtime in alabama — only the weekly total counts.
Can my employer give comp time instead of overtime pay in Alabama?
Federal law generally does not let private employers in Alabama give comp time instead of overtime pay. Comp time in place of overtime is allowed only for public-sector employers under specific FLSA rules.
How do I claim unpaid overtime in Alabama?
Alabama has no state overtime law and no state wage-and-hour office, so unpaid overtime claims go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
Official Alabama Sources & Resources
- Alabama Department of Labor: https://www.labor.alabama.gov/
- Verified source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division — state payday requirements: dol.gov
This alabama overtime laws guide was last verified against official Alabama sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More Alabama Workplace Rights Guides
- Alabama Break Laws: Meal and Rest Breaks
- Alabama Final Paycheck Law: Deadlines and Penalties
- Alabama Labor Laws: Every Rule in One Place
- Alabama Unemployment Benefits: How Much and How Long
- Unemployment and Workplace Rights Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.