Overtime for Tennessee (2026)
Tennessee (TN) Key Facts
Minimum Wage
$7.25
Overtime Rule
Weekly only (40 hrs/week)
Weekly Overtime Threshold
40 hours
Overtime Multiplier
1.5x regular rate
State Income Tax Rate
None (no state income tax)
How This Calculator Works in Tennessee
This overtime calculator applies Tennessee's specific overtime rules to estimate your total pay including overtime. Enter your hourly rate and total hours worked to see your regular pay, overtime pay, and gross total. It accounts for Tennessee's weekly 40-hour rule and the standard 1.5x overtime multiplier.
Tennessee Overview
Tennessee follows the federal weekly overtime standard of time-and-a-half after 40 hours. There are no state-specific overtime provisions. The state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour — Tennessee has no state minimum wage law; the federal minimum of $7.25/hr applies. Nashville's rapid growth is pushing wages and costs higher in the metro area.
How Tennessee Compares
Tennessee's minimum wage of $7.25 matches the federal minimum of $7.25. Like most states, Tennessee relies on the federal 40-hour weekly threshold for overtime. Neighboring Kentucky has a minimum wage of $7.25 and uses only the weekly overtime standard.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $7.25/hr min wage | Kentucky follows the standard federal overtime rule of 1.5x after 40 hours per week. |
| Virginia | $12.41/hr min wage | Virginia follows the standard federal overtime rule of 1.5x after 40 hours per week. |
| North Carolina | $7.25/hr min wage | North Carolina follows the standard federal overtime rule of 1.5x after 40 hours per week. |
The federal overtime standard requires 1.5x pay after 40 hours per week. Tennessee's minimum wage of $7.25 matches the federal minimum of $7.25. Only a few states, including California and Alaska, mandate daily overtime in addition to the weekly threshold.
Tips for Tennessee Residents
- 1Tennessee's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Verify your base rate meets or exceeds this before calculating overtime — overtime pay is calculated on your regular rate, not the minimum.
- 2Tennessee follows the federal weekly overtime standard: time-and-a-half for every hour beyond 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime trigger, so long individual shifts do not generate overtime unless your weekly total exceeds 40.
- 3Tennessee has no state income tax, so overtime earnings are only subject to federal income tax and FICA. This means you keep a larger share of overtime pay than workers in states with income taxes.
- 4Track your hours meticulously. Under the FLSA, employers must pay overtime for all qualifying hours regardless of whether the overtime was pre-approved. Keep your own records as a backup.
- 5Salaried employees are not automatically exempt from overtime. To be exempt, you must meet specific duties tests and earn above the salary threshold. If you are classified as exempt but believe you should qualify, consult Tennessee's department of labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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