12-Hour Shift Pay Calculator
Quickly estimate total earnings for 12-hour shifts with optional overtime after a chosen threshold.
Note: This calculator uses a simplified overtime model. Actual pay rules vary by jurisdiction, employer policy, and union agreements.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your hourly rate
Type your base wage before bonuses or differentials.
Choose number of shifts
Input how many 12-hour shifts you will work in the period.
Adjust overtime settings (optional)
Set when overtime starts within a shift and the multiplier (e.g., 1.5×).
Click Calculate
See your estimated total pay including regular and overtime earnings.
Formula
total = shifts × [min(hours, OT_start) × rate + max(0, hours - OT_start) × rate × OT_mult]
Example:
rate = $20/hr, hours = 12, OT_start = 8, OT_mult = 1.5, shifts = 10
regular = 8 × 20 = 160; overtime = 4 × 20 × 1.5 = 120
per-shift pay = 160 + 120 = 280; total = 10 × 280 = $2,800
About 12-Hour Shift Pay Calculator
This 12-hour shift pay calculator helps shift workers, schedulers, and managers quickly estimate earnings for long shifts using a clean, transparent formula. Many industries—such as healthcare, manufacturing, energy, public safety, and logistics—use extended shifts to reduce handoffs and provide continuous coverage. While these schedules can be efficient, understanding how regular and overtime pay stack up across multiple shifts is not always straightforward. This tool allows you to set an overtime threshold per shift and a custom multiplier so you can mirror common rules of thumb (e.g., overtime after 8 hours at 1.5×). With just a few inputs—hourly rate, number of shifts, hours per shift, overtime start, and multiplier—you get an instant estimate of total pay. The model is intentionally simple to remain broadly applicable across jurisdictions, union contracts, and employer policies. Always verify actual payroll outcomes against your local labor laws and company rules; daily/weekly overtime, double time, shift differentials, and holiday premiums may apply and can change your final paycheck significantly. Use this estimate for planning, budgeting, and comparing schedule options before committing to hours.
When to Use This Calculator
- Schedule planning: Compare earnings between 8-hour vs. 12-hour rotations.
- Budgeting: Forecast take-home pay across weeks or months of shifts.
- Negotiations: Evaluate overtime thresholds and multipliers during offer discussions.
- What-if analysis: Test alternative overtime rules to understand sensitivity.
Tips for Best Results
- Confirm whether your jurisdiction mandates daily vs. weekly overtime.
- Ask HR about double-time and shift differential policies.
- Include bonuses/allowances separately if applicable.
- Use conservative assumptions when budgeting for variable schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this handle weekly overtime?
No. This model applies overtime within each shift. Weekly totals and double time vary by law and employer.
Can I use different multipliers?
Yes. Set any multiplier (e.g., 1.25, 1.5, 2.0) to reflect your policy.
What about meal breaks?
If unpaid, reduce the hours per shift accordingly before calculating.
Is this legal or payroll advice?
No. It’s an educational estimate. Always confirm with HR and applicable labor regulations.