Overtime Calculator UAE — Know Your Extra Pay
Calculate your UAE overtime pay instantly. Enter your basic salary and extra hours to get your exact payout based on current UAE Labour Law.
Published by UAE Calculators · Last reviewed May 2026 · Verified by UAE HR consultants
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Understanding Your Rights
What Is Overtime Pay in the UAE?
Overtime pay is the extra compensation you earn when you work beyond the standard hours set by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. For most UAE private sector employees, the standard limit is 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Any work beyond this limit qualifies as overtime.
The law requires employers to pay a premium for these extra hours. The exact rate depends on when you work. Normal extra hours earn a 1.25x Multiplier (25% extra). Night shifts and rest days earn a 1.50x Multiplier. Public holidays earn a 2.50x Multiplier.
This calculator works out your exact overtime amount based on your basic salary and the legal formula recognised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Daily Wage = Basic Salary / 30Hourly Rate = Daily Wage / 8OT Pay = Hourly Rate x Multiplier x OT HoursCommon Calculation Errors
Why the 30-Day Divisor Matters for Overtime
The UAE Labour Law Executive Regulations (Article 19) explicitly state how to calculate the daily wage for overtime. The law mandates dividing your monthly wage by 30 days. Some employers use a 365-day year, which lowers the daily rate and the overtime payout, but the legal standard is 30 days.
The 30-Day Legal Rule
Article 19 of the Executive Regulations explicitly states that the daily wage for overtime is calculated by dividing the monthly wage by 30. This is the legally binding method recognized by MOHRE and labour courts.
The 365-Day Method (Incorrect for OT)
Some payroll systems multiply by 12 and divide by 365, resulting in a 30.41-day month. While used for some other calculations, this is not the legal standard for overtime under the current Labour Law, and it results in a lower payout for the employee.
Basic Salary Only
Never calculate overtime using your gross salary. The law is clear that the hourly rate is based on basic salary only. Housing, transport, and other allowances are excluded from the overtime formula.
Real-World Examples
Overtime Calculation Examples
These two examples show how the multiplier changes the final payout. Both use the legal 30-day divisor and basic salary only.
All examples use the 30-day divisor as mandated by the Executive Regulations. Public holiday pay may alternatively be compensated with a different day off plus your standard daily wage, instead of the 2.50x cash payout.
When to Use This Calculator
Common Situations Where You Need an Overtime Calculation
Working Late or Night Shifts
You worked past your standard hours or covered a shift between 10 PM and 4 AM, which attracts the 1.50x rate.
Working on Fridays or Rest Days
You were asked to work on your designated weekly day off and need to know if you should get extra pay or compensatory leave.
Working During Ramadan
Your standard working day drops to 6 hours during Ramadan. Any time beyond 6 hours is overtime at the 1.25x rate.
Verifying Your Payslip
Your payslip shows overtime pay but the amount looks lower than expected. Cross-check the math against the legal formula here.
Working on a Public Holiday
You worked on Eid Al Fitr, UAE National Day, or another public holiday. The 2.50x multiplier applies.
Preparing for a MOHRE Dispute
You are filing a complaint for unpaid overtime and need an accurate, law-compliant calculation to present as evidence.
Overtime Rates
UAE Overtime Multipliers Explained
The UAE Labour Law sets different overtime rates depending on when the extra work happens. The standard rate is 25% extra on top of your basic hourly rate. Night work, rest days, and public holidays attract higher premiums.
For night shifts, the law defines the period between 10 PM and 4 AM. Work done during this window earns an extra 50% on top of your basic hourly rate. The same 1.50x rate applies if you work on your Friday or designated weekly rest day.
Public holidays command the highest payout at 2.50 times your basic hourly rate. Your employer can also choose to give you a normal day off instead of the 2.50x cash, but only with your agreement.
| Work Scenario | Multiplier | Extra Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Normal overtime (beyond 8 hrs) | 1.25x | 25% extra |
| Night shift (10 PM to 4 AM) | 1.50x | 50% extra |
| Friday / Weekly rest day | 1.50x | 50% extra or day off |
| Public holiday | 2.50x | 150% extra or day off |
Legal Exemptions
Are Managers Entitled to Overtime in the UAE?
No. Under Article 72 of current UAE Labour Law, managerial or supervisory roles are legally exempt from overtime provisions. If your employment contract classifies you as a manager or supervisor, your employer is not required to pay you overtime, no matter how many extra hours you work.
This is one of the most misunderstood rules in UAE employment law. Many employees assume that working late automatically qualifies them for overtime pay. If you hold a managerial title, check your contract carefully before raising a dispute with MOHRE.
Other categories, such as certain shift workers, may also have different overtime rules. Always verify your specific classification before assuming you are eligible.
| Employee Type | OT Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Private Sector | Yes | After 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week |
| Managers / Supervisors | No | Exempt under Article 72 |
| Part-time Workers | Yes (Pro-rata) | Based on their reduced daily hours |
| DIFC / ADGM Employees | Varies | Subject to separate free zone laws |
Ramadan Working Hours
How Overtime Changes During Ramadan
During the holy month of Ramadan, standard working hours for the UAE private sector are reduced to a 6-hour Ramadan Day. This is a strict legal requirement under the Executive Regulations of the Labour Law.
Because the daily threshold drops from 8 hours to 6 hours, overtime kicks in much earlier. If you work 8 hours during Ramadan, the last 2 hours are classified as overtime and must be paid at the 1.25x rate (or higher if it falls on a rest day or holiday).
This calculator includes a Ramadan toggle. Turn it on, and the formula automatically switches from an 8-hour standard day to a 6-hour standard day to give you the correct payout.
Legal Limits
Overtime Caps and Free Zone Rules
UAE law limits overtime to 2 hours per day. This means your total working day cannot exceed 10 hours under normal circumstances. There is also a 144-hour limit over a three-week period for heavy or hazardous work.
Employers cannot force you to work overtime unless it is to prevent a major loss or accident. Even then, the 2-hour daily cap applies. If you are forced to work beyond these limits, you can file a complaint with MOHRE.
If you work in a free zone like DIFC or ADGM, mainland UAE overtime rules do not automatically apply. These free zones have their own employment laws and regulations. Check your specific free zone employment contract and the relevant authority’s rules.
Common Mistakes
Overtime Errors That Cost Employees Money
These are the most frequent mistakes UAE employees and employers make when calculating overtime pay.
About UAE Calculators
Why Trust This Calculator?
UAE Calculators is a free resource built for employees and employers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and every emirate. Our tools give clear, law-compliant answers without requiring a lawyer or HR consultant to interpret them.
Every formula on this page is cross-referenced against current UAE Labour Law and MOHRE’s official guidelines. Content is reviewed by UAE-based HR consultants whenever labour regulations change.
No salary data you enter is collected, stored, or shared. All calculations run entirely in your browser.
Legal Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard interpretations of UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Actual overtime pay may vary based on your employment contract, company policy, free zone regulations, and specific work conditions. This tool does not constitute legal advice. For formal disputes, consult a UAE-licensed lawyer or contact MOHRE directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
UAE Overtime: Common Questions Answered
The most searched questions about overtime pay in the UAE, answered accurately under current UAE Labour Law.
Under current UAE Labour Law, overtime is calculated using your basic salary only. The standard rate is 1.25 times your regular hourly rate for extra hours. For night work or rest days, the rate increases to 1.50 times. Public holidays are paid at 2.50 times the regular rate.
Overtime in the UAE is calculated strictly on your basic salary. Gross salary, which includes housing and transport allowances, is excluded from the calculation. The legal formula uses the basic salary divided by 30 days, then divided by 8 hours to find the hourly rate.
The legal formula is (Basic Salary / 30 / 8). First, divide your monthly basic salary by 30 to get the daily rate. Finally, divide by 8 to get the standard hourly rate.
If you work on a Friday or weekly rest day, you are entitled to 1.50 times your basic hourly rate. Alternatively, your employer can give you a compensatory day off within the following week. If they do not grant the day off, they must pay the 1.50x overtime rate.
Working on a public holiday entitles you to 2.50 times your basic hourly rate. Alternatively, your employer can provide your normal daily wage plus a compensatory day off. If no compensatory leave is granted, the full 2.50x rate applies to every hour worked.
No. Under Article 72 of current UAE Labour Law, managers and supervisors are exempt from overtime provisions. If your employment contract classifies you in a managerial or supervisory role, you are not legally entitled to overtime pay.
During Ramadan, normal working hours for the UAE private sector are reduced to 6 hours per day. Any work beyond 6 hours in a day during Ramadan qualifies as overtime. It is calculated at the standard 1.25x multiplier of your basic hourly rate.
The maximum overtime allowed is 2 hours per day. This means your total working day, including standard hours and overtime, cannot exceed 10 hours. Exceptions exist for shift workers and emergencies, but the 2-hour daily cap applies to most employees.
No. Free zones like DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws separate from mainland UAE Labour Law. Their overtime thresholds, multipliers, and exemptions may differ. Always check your specific free zone employment contract and the relevant authority’s regulations.