GuidePay & hiring
Minimum wage and overtime basics for hourly jobs: federal rules and state differences
The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since July 24, 2009, and when a state minimum is higher you are entitled to the higher rate. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must get at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, and exempt status depends on duties and pay — not job title. Some states, such as California, also require overtime after eight hours in a day.
Oct 19, 2026JOBnaru™
