US Holiday Pay Calculators by State
Calculate your holiday pay for any US state. While there's no federal requirement for holiday premium pay, practices and policies vary by state and employer.
The United States stands out among developed nations for having no federal law requiring employers to pay premium rates for holiday work. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are not required to pay extra for working on holidays—that's entirely at the employer's discretion. However, most employers offer holiday pay as a competitive benefit to attract and retain employees.
State laws add another layer of complexity. While most states follow federal guidelines (meaning no mandatory holiday pay), a few states like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have limited requirements for certain industries, particularly retail. These calculators help you understand the common practices in your state and estimate your holiday earnings based on typical premium rates.
States with Limited Holiday Pay Requirements
The following states have some form of holiday pay requirements for certain workers or industries:
All 50 States
C(3 states)
D(1 states)
F(1 states)
G(1 states)
H(1 states)
L(1 states)
P(1 states)
R(1 states)
S(2 states)
U(1 states)
W(4 states)
US Holiday Pay Quick Reference
Federal Holidays
The US recognizes 11 federal holidays. Private employers are not required to provide paid time off or premium pay.
- • New Year's Day
- • MLK Jr. Day
- • Presidents' Day
- • Memorial Day
- • Juneteenth
- • Independence Day
- • Labor Day
- • Columbus Day
- • Veterans Day
- • Thanksgiving
- • Christmas Day
Common Premium Rates
While not required, most US employers offer premium pay for holiday work:
- 1.5x (Time and a half): Most common rate for all holidays
- 2.0x (Double time): Often offered for major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving)
- Regular rate + day off: Some employers provide this alternative
Key Points
- • No federal mandate: FLSA doesn't require holiday pay
- • Employer policy: Most offer it as a benefit
- • Union contracts: Often specify holiday pay rates
- • Overtime still applies: Hours over 40/week are overtime regardless of holidays
Understanding US Holiday Pay
Each state calculator provides:
- State-specific holiday pay information and common practices
- Adjustable hourly rate and hours worked inputs
- Customizable holiday premium multiplier (1.5x, 2x, etc.)
- Option to add overtime hours worked on the holiday
- Instant calculation of total holiday earnings
Remember that in the US, holiday pay is typically a voluntary employer benefit. Always check your employee handbook, employment contract, or union agreement for your specific holiday pay entitlements.
Disclaimer: These calculators provide estimates based on common US practices. Actual holiday pay depends on your employer's specific policies. This is not legal or financial advice.