Louisiana Overtime Calculator — FLSA rules

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Louisiana have its own overtime law beyond the federal FLSA?

  No. Louisiana has no state overtime law for private-sector employees as of 2026. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA, 29 U.S.C. § 207) applies: overtime is required at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

• Is there a daily overtime threshold in Louisiana?

  No. Louisiana has no daily overtime trigger. Overtime only kicks in after 40 hours in a workweek under the FLSA. This is different from California, which requires overtime pay after 8 hours in a single day.

• How is overtime calculated in Louisiana?

  For non-exempt employees, Louisiana overtime follows FLSA: the regular rate of pay times 1.5 for every hour over 40 in the workweek. For example, an employee earning $20/hr who works 45 hours earns $20 × 40 = $800 in regular pay plus $30 × 5 = $150 in overtime pay, totaling $950.

• Does the 7th-day overtime rule apply in Louisiana?

  No. Louisiana has no 7th-day overtime rule. Only the FLSA's 40-hour weekly threshold applies. The 7th-day rule is specific to California.

• Who is exempt from overtime in Louisiana?

  Employees who meet federal FLSA exemption criteria are exempt from overtime in Louisiana. The main exemptions require: (1) a salary of at least $684 per week ($35,568/year as of 2026), and (2) a primary job duty that qualifies as executive, administrative, or professional under 29 C.F.R. Part 541. Job title alone does not create an exemption — both the salary level and duties tests must be met.

• What is the minimum salary for an overtime-exempt employee in Louisiana in 2026?

  Under federal FLSA rules (which Louisiana follows), the minimum salary threshold for exempt status is $684 per week ($35,568 per year) as of 2026. Highly Compensated Employees (HCE) earning at least $107,432 annually may qualify under a reduced duties test.

• Can an employer waive overtime pay in Louisiana?

  No. Overtime pay for non-exempt employees is required by law (FLSA § 207) and cannot be waived by agreement between an employer and employee. An employee cannot sign away their right to overtime.

• Does Louisiana allow comp time instead of overtime pay?

  Compensatory time (comp time) in lieu of overtime pay is generally only permitted for state and local government employees under FLSA § 207(o). Private-sector employers in Louisiana must pay overtime in cash — they cannot substitute comp time for overtime wages.

• What are the penalties for overtime violations in Louisiana?

  Under FLSA, employers who fail to pay overtime may be liable for back wages, an equal amount in liquidated (double) damages, plus attorney fees and court costs. The statute of limitations is two years for unintentional violations and three years for willful violations.

• Where can I file an overtime wage complaint in Louisiana?

  You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD) at dol.gov/agencies/whd. Louisiana does not have a separate state agency enforcing overtime laws since Louisiana follows the federal FLSA. You can also contact the Louisiana Workforce Commission at laworks.net for general guidance.