Holiday Pay Calculator
Working on a holiday can mean a bigger paycheck — if your employer offers premium holiday pay. Our free holiday pay calculator estimates your holiday earnings at time-and-a-half, double time, or your regular rate, whether you worked the holiday or got the day off with pay.
Enter your numbers
Your results
| Hourly rate | $20.00 |
|---|---|
| Holiday hours | 8 |
| Applied multiplier | 1.5× |
| Effective holiday hourly rate | $30.00 |
Estimate only — actual pay depends on your employer's holiday policy. US federal law does not require holiday premium pay or paid holidays.
How to use this calculator
Enter your hourly rate and the number of holiday hours. Then pick the holiday pay rate your employer offers — most commonly time-and-a-half (1.5×), with double time (2×) and higher multipliers available. Results update instantly as you type.
Next, choose your holiday status. Select "Worked the holiday" if you clocked in on the holiday — your hours are multiplied by the holiday rate. Select "Paid day off (not worked)" if your employer pays you for the holiday without requiring you to work — in that case you're typically paid at your regular 1.0× rate, so the multiplier is set aside.
The results show your holiday earnings, what the same hours would pay on a regular day, and the premium you earned from working the holiday. Treat all figures as estimates and confirm the final amount with your pay stub.
How it works
Worked the holiday: holiday earnings = hourly rate × holiday hours × multiplier. For example, $20/hr × 8 hours × 1.5 = $240. The regular-day comparison is hourly rate × holiday hours × 1.0 ($160), so the premium from working the holiday is $240 − $160 = $80.
Paid day off (not worked): holiday earnings = hourly rate × holiday hours × 1.0. No premium is applied because you didn't work, and the "worked" multiplier doesn't apply to hours you were home. The premium line shows $0 in this mode.
Assumptions: a single hourly rate applies to the whole shift, and one holiday policy multiplier is used. Actual paychecks may also include shift differentials, overtime stacking, or taxes — none of which this calculator estimates.
Frequently asked questions
What is holiday pay?
Holiday pay is the pay you receive for a holiday shift. Some employers pay a premium (like time-and-a-half or double time) for hours worked on a recognized holiday, and some also pay for the day off even when you don't work.
Is holiday pay usually time-and-a-half or double time?
Time-and-a-half (1.5x) is the most common holiday premium, but double time (2x) and other multipliers are also used. It depends entirely on your employer's policy — there is no single standard rate.
Does my employer have to pay a holiday premium?
No. Under US federal law, there is no requirement to pay extra for working on a holiday — or to provide paid holidays at all. Holiday premium pay is set by employer policy or a collective bargaining agreement, so check your handbook or contract.
Do I get paid for a holiday I don't work?
Often, yes — many employers pay for recognized holidays you don't work, usually at your regular hourly rate (1.0x) for your normal shift hours. This is employer policy, not a legal requirement.
Do holiday hours count toward overtime?
Under US federal law, overtime is based on 40 or more hours actually worked in a week — paid hours you didn't work (like a paid day off) generally don't count. However, some employers and state laws are more generous, so check your employer's policy.