UAE Overtime Calculator
How Is Overtime Calculated in the UAE?
Work out overtime pay under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Enter your basic salary and hours below, then read the rate breakdown, worked AED examples, and FAQ underneath the calculator.
Overtime in the UAE is a legal right, not something an employer chooses to offer. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets fixed premium rates for work beyond standard hours, and both employers and employees can check the numbers with the same formula. Getting the base wrong (using total salary instead of basic, or the wrong daily hours) is the most common reason overtime pay ends up disputed at MOHRE.
Basic salary only — excludes allowances.
Enter your details and click
"Calculate Overtime Pay" to see results
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, overtime is paid on the basic hourly wage:
- • Hourly wage = monthly basic salary ÷ 30 ÷ normal daily hours
- • Normal overtime: hourly wage + 25% (1.25×)
- • Night (10pm–4am) or rest-day: hourly wage + 50% (1.5×)
- • During Ramadan, normal daily hours are reduced by 2
Estimates only — verify against your contract and MOHRE. Excludes allowances and any compensatory rest-day leave entitlement.
Overtime Rate by Situation
Standard working hours in the UAE are 8 hours a day, 48 hours a week, on a 6-day workweek. During Ramadan, that drops to 6 hours a day and 36 hours a week, at the same pay. Any hours worked beyond these are overtime. Some sectors, such as hospitality and security, follow different schedules set by their own contracts.
UAE Labour Law sets one of two overtime rates, depending on when the extra hours are worked. Both rates apply on top of your basic hourly wage, never your total package.
| Situation | When it applies | Rate | In the calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal overtime | Extra hours on a normal working day, outside night hours | Hourly wage + 25% | Normal overtime (+25%) |
| Night overtime | Hours worked between 10pm and 4am | Hourly wage + 50% | Night / rest-day (+50%) |
| Rest-day overtime | Hours worked on your weekly rest day (for example Friday). Also earns a compensatory day off. | Hourly wage + 50% | Night / rest-day (+50%) |
| Ramadan overtime | Hours beyond the Ramadan-reduced day (an 8-hour day becomes 6) | Same 25% / 50% rates | Tick "Ramadan" |
Overtime is capped at 2 hours a day under normal circumstances. Employers can ask for more only to prevent accidents, carry out urgent repairs, or handle an unexpected surge in work.
Three Worked Examples
Basic salary: AED 6,000/month
Normal daily hours: 8
Overtime: 10 hours, normal rate
Hourly wage: 6,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = AED 25.00
Overtime pay: 10 × 25.00 × 1.25 = AED 312.50
Basic salary: AED 9,000/month
Normal daily hours: 8
Overtime: 6 hours between 10pm and 4am
Hourly wage: 9,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = AED 37.50
Overtime pay: 6 × 37.50 × 1.5 = AED 337.50
Basic salary: AED 8,000/month
Normal daily hours: 8, reduced to 6 for Ramadan
Overtime: 5 hours, normal rate
Hourly wage: 8,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 6 = AED 44.44
Overtime pay: 5 × 44.44 × 1.25 = AED 277.78
Who Is and Isn't Covered
- Regular employees: covered. Any hours beyond your normal daily hours count as overtime.
- Employees paid by the hour: covered, calculated per hour worked.
- Part-time employees: covered for hours worked beyond what your contract sets.
- Management and supervisory roles: may be excluded where the role carries real supervisory authority. Employers cannot label junior staff "management" just to skip overtime pay. MOHRE looks at the actual responsibilities, not the job title.
Overtime does not change your other entitlements. Gratuity is calculated on basic salary only, regardless of how much overtime you worked, so check the gratuity calculator for your end-of-service payout. Annual leave encashment is calculated on your regular daily rate too: see the annual leave calculator. If you are not sure what counts as your basic salary versus your total package, read the difference between gross and net salary. Overtime can affect bank loan eligibility: some banks count regular, consistent overtime as part of your income, but usually only after 6 to 12 months of records. Occasional overtime is normally excluded.
Common Overtime Calculation Mistakes
- Using total salary instead of basic salary: the hourly wage in the formula comes from basic salary only. Using the full package inflates every overtime payment and does not match the law.
- Paying the plain hourly rate instead of the premium: paying 100% of the hourly wage instead of 125% or 150% underpays the employee.
- Swapping pay for time off on a normal working day: regular overtime must be paid in cash. A substitute day off is only an option for rest-day or holiday work, and even then the 50% premium for hours worked still has to be paid.
- Not keeping time records: without accurate hours, neither side can verify the calculation or resolve a disagreement.
- Labelling junior staff as "management": the management exemption only applies to roles with real supervisory authority, and MOHRE checks actual responsibilities, not job titles, in a dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is overtime calculated in the UAE?
Under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), overtime is paid on top of your basic hourly wage. Work out your hourly wage as monthly basic salary divided by 30, divided by your normal daily working hours. Normal overtime is paid at that hourly wage plus 25%.
What is the overtime rate for night or rest-day work?
Overtime worked between 10pm and 4am, or on your weekly rest day (for example Friday), is paid at your basic hourly wage plus 50%. Rest-day work also entitles you to a compensatory day off.
How do I work out my hourly wage from a monthly salary?
Hourly wage equals monthly basic salary divided by 30, divided by normal daily working hours. On an AED 6,000 basic salary with an 8-hour day, that is AED 25 an hour.
Is overtime calculated on basic salary or total salary?
Basic salary only. Housing, transport, and other allowances are excluded from the overtime calculation.
Does Ramadan change how overtime is calculated?
Yes. Normal daily working hours drop by 2 during Ramadan. Any hours worked beyond the reduced day count as overtime, paid at the same 25% or 50% rates.
Is there a daily limit on overtime hours?
Overtime is capped at 2 hours a day under normal circumstances. Employers can ask for more only to prevent accidents, carry out urgent repairs, or handle an unexpected surge in work.
Does overtime affect my gratuity or end-of-service pay?
No. Gratuity is calculated on basic salary only, regardless of how much overtime you worked during your employment.
This calculator gives an estimate based on UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Always check your contract and confirm with MOHRE or a licensed HR professional before relying on the numbers for payroll or a dispute.