Night Shift Pay Calculator
Calculate gross wages and overnight premiums for working third-shift (graveyard) hours. Enter your daytime base hourly wage, night differential rate per hour, and the hours split between day and night windows to calculate total shift earnings.
Standard daytime wage rate before night shift premiums
Extra dollar amount per hour added for working night hours
Hours worked within the standard daytime pay window
Hours worked within the qualifying night differential window (e.g. 10 PM - 6 AM)
Combined total earnings from daytime hours and premium night shift hours
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your base daytime hourly wage rate.
- Enter the night differential dollar premium added per hour.
- Enter the number of daytime hours worked on the shift (if any).
- Enter the number of nighttime hours worked during the premium window.
- Review total shift pay, night hourly wage, and the extra night premium bonus earned.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
The night hourly rate is calculated by adding the night differential bonus to the base daytime hourly wage. Multiplying daytime hours by base rate and night hours by night rate yields total gross shift earnings.
Worked Example
Hospital technician earning $26.00/hr base working a 10-hour shift (8 night hours at +$4/hr and 2 day hours)
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours officially qualify as a night shift under US labor standards?↓
The FLSA does not define specific night shift hours; it is determined by employer policy or collective bargaining agreements. In federal government employment (5 U.S.C. § 5545), night work is legally defined as regularly scheduled work between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Does night shift differential apply to overtime hours?↓
Yes. Under federal FLSA regulations, the night shift differential must be added to your base rate before calculating time-and-a-half (1.5x) overtime, ensuring overtime for night workers reflects their higher effective hourly compensation.
Why do employers offer night shift differentials?↓
Night differentials help employers recruit and retain workers for difficult overnight hours that disrupt normal circadian sleep rhythms and social schedules, commonly seen in healthcare, manufacturing, law enforcement, and transportation.
What limitation should I keep in mind when using this tool?↓
This calculator evaluates gross straight-time wages for a single shift and does not include progressive payroll taxes, unpaid meal deductions, or weekly overtime thresholds.
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Open calculator →Source Citation & Disclaimer
Informational tool only; not licensed tax, legal, or financial advice.