UAE Overtime Pay Calculator
Enter your basic salary, the overtime hours and their type to see your hourly rate and the overtime pay you are owed.
Calculate your overtime pay
Overtime rules in the UAE Labour Law
Normal working hours are 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week (Article 17). Anything beyond that is overtime, paid as follows:
| Situation | Pay |
|---|---|
| Extra hour on a normal working day | Hourly wage + 25% |
| Extra hour between 10 pm and 4 am (except shift workers) | Hourly wage + 50% |
| Work on the weekly rest day | A substitute rest day, or the day's wage + 50% |
| Work on a public holiday | A substitute day, or the day's wage + 50% |
Example: basic salary AED 6,000 and 20 ordinary overtime hours.
Daily wage = 6,000 ÷ 30 = AED 200. Hourly wage = 200 ÷ 8 = AED 25.
Overtime hour = 25 × 1.25 = AED 31.25. Overtime pay = 20 × 31.25 = AED 625.
Legal limits and exclusions
- Overtime may not exceed two hours a day, except in cases of necessity.
- Working hours are reduced by two hours a day during Ramadan.
- Senior supervisory staff with the employer's powers, ships' crews and preparatory work of up to one hour outside working hours are excluded from overtime pay.
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Common cases
Frequently asked questions
How is the hourly rate calculated in the UAE?
Divide your monthly basic salary by 30 to get the daily wage, then by 8 to get the normal hourly wage. Ordinary overtime is paid at that rate plus 25%, and overtime between 10 pm and 4 am, on your weekly rest day or on a public holiday at that rate plus 50%.
What is the maximum overtime allowed?
Two hours a day, except where overtime is needed to prevent a serious loss or accident. The executive regulations also cap total working hours over three consecutive weeks.
What if I work on my rest day?
You are entitled to a substitute rest day, or to the pay for that day plus 50% of your basic wage.
Do managers get overtime pay?
No. The executive regulations exclude senior supervisory staff who hold the employer's powers over workers, as well as some other groups such as ships' crews. Check your contract.
Is overtime calculated on basic or gross salary?
The law sets the premium on the basic wage. Some employers pay it on the gross salary as a benefit, which is allowed because it is better for the employee.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its amendments — MOHRE consolidated text (Articles 17–21)
- Khaleej Times — when overtime is paid at 50%
- Hono — how to calculate overtime in the UAE, with examples (2026)
Figures and formulas on this page were last reviewed on 2026-11-03.