Overtime is counted week by week
Under federal rules each workweek stands on its own: hours are not averaged over two weeks (29 C.F.R. § 778.104). In the example, week 1 is 5 × 7 = 35 hours, all regular, and week 2 is 5 × 9 = 45 hours, 40 regular + 5 overtime.
Pay at $20 an hour: week 1 is 35 × $20 = $700; week 2 is 40 × $20 = $800 plus 5 × $30 = $150, so $950. The two weeks are $1,650 before taxes. Adding up all 80 hours first would show no overtime at all.
Type hours as 8:30, 8.5 or 8h 30m. California also counts hours over 8 in a day; pick it above. Estimates only, not payroll or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is overtime figured over two weeks when I am paid biweekly?
No, not under federal law. Overtime is figured for each 7-day workweek, even when you are paid every two weeks. 35 + 45 hours is 75 regular + 5 overtime hours, not 80 regular hours.
What is the difference between biweekly and semimonthly?
Biweekly is every two weeks, 26 paychecks a year. Semimonthly is twice a month, usually 24 paychecks, so a pay period can split a workweek. Overtime is still counted per workweek.
How many hours is a full-time biweekly pay period?
Usually 80 hours: 40 hours a week for two weeks. 80 hours at $20 an hour is $1,600 before taxes.