Shift Differential Calculator
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Shift differentials are premium pay rates offered to employees who work less desirable schedules, such as evening (2nd shift), overnight (3rd / graveyard shift), or weekend rotations.
Enter your base hourly wage, regular daytime hours, and the number of premium night/weekend hours worked to see your total weekly earnings, differential bonus, and blended hourly rate.
Shift Premium & Differential Pay Benchmarks
Weekly and annual pay comparisons across standard wage rates assuming 32 regular hours and 8 night/weekend shift hours with a 15% differential.
| Base Hourly Rate | Regular Pay (32 hrs) | Shift Premium (15%) | Total Weekly Pay | Blended Hourly Rate | Annualized Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00/hr | $480.00 | $18.00 | $618.00 | $15.45/hr | $32,136.00 |
| $18.00/hr | $576.00 | $21.60 | $741.60 | $18.54/hr | $38,563.20 |
| $20.00/hr | $640.00 | $24.00 | $824.00 | $20.60/hr | $42,848.00 |
| $22.00/hr | $704.00 | $26.40 | $906.40 | $22.66/hr | $47,132.80 |
| $25.00/hr | $800.00 | $30.00 | $1,030.00 | $25.75/hr | $53,560.00 |
| $30.00/hr | $960.00 | $36.00 | $1,236.00 | $30.90/hr | $64,272.00 |
| $35.00/hr | $1,120.00 | $42.00 | $1,442.00 | $36.05/hr | $74,984.00 |
| $40.00/hr | $1,280.00 | $48.00 | $1,648.00 | $41.20/hr | $85,696.00 |
*Calculated with 32 standard hours and 8 night/weekend premium hours at a 15% shift differential.
How the calculation works
- Base Pay = (Base Daytime Hours + Premium Shift Hours) × Base Hourly Wage.
- Shift Differential Premium = Premium Shift Hours × Differential Premium Rate.
- Total Weekly Pay = Base Pay + Shift Differential Premium.
- Blended Hourly Rate = Total Weekly Pay ÷ Total Hours Worked.
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard shift differential pay rate?
Common shift differentials range from 10% to 15% of base hourly pay, or a flat $1.50 to $4.00 per hour for 2nd (evening) and 3rd (overnight/graveyard) shifts. In healthcare and nursing, night shift differentials can reach 15% to 25%.
How do you calculate shift differential pay?
If the differential is percentage-based, multiply your base wage by the differential percentage, then multiply by differential hours worked. For example, at $22/hr with a 15% differential ($3.30/hr premium) for 8 hours, your differential pay is $26.40 on top of your $176 regular base pay ($202.40 total).
Does shift differential affect overtime calculations?
Yes. Under FLSA guidelines, shift differential premiums must be included in the 'regular rate of pay' when determining overtime pay (time and a half) for hours worked over 40.
Shift Differential & Premium Pay Guide (2026) →
Comprehensive guide to shift differential pay: 2nd and 3rd shift premiums, legal FLSA regular rate overtime calculations, and industry benchmarks.
Read full guide with worked examples →Related calculators
Method and statutory parameters last reviewed September 27, 2026. Built and tested by PullMesh. See our methodology and sources. Estimates are informational, not tax, payroll, or legal advice.