UAE Overtime Pay Calculator Estimate Extra Earnings
Use the UAE Overtime Pay Calculator to estimate how much your extra working hours may be worth in AED. Enter your monthly basic salary, normal working hours and overtime hours to compare a standard overtime premium with eligible night overtime or rest-day work.
Free Estimate · AED Results · Basic Wage Method · UAE Private-Sector Reference
UAE Overtime Pay Calculator
Enter your monthly basic salary and the hours you actually worked as overtime. The calculator estimates the hourly basic rate and applies the selected multiplier. Under the general UAE private-sector framework, ordinary overtime generally carries a premium of at least 25%, while qualifying overtime between 10 pm and 4 am generally carries at least 50%, subject to the rules and exceptions that apply to the employee.
Use basic salary, not your entire salary package, for the general statutory overtime calculation. The extra amount field is optional and is added only if you already know a separate confirmed amount. Rest-day compensation may involve a substitute rest day instead of cash payment.
Estimated Overtime Pay
Estimated Amount For Your Entered Overtime Hours
UAE Overtime Pay Rules And Premiums
The applicable rate depends on when the work was performed, the employee's work arrangement and the legal framework governing the job. The following summary describes the general private-sector rules published by the UAE Government. Special employment categories and government-sector employees may be covered by different provisions.
| Work Category | General Reference | Illustrative Multiplier | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary overtime | Normal hourly remuneration based on basic wage plus at least 25% | 1.25 × basic hourly rate | Subject to applicable overtime eligibility and limits. |
| Qualifying overtime between 10 pm and 4 am | Normal hourly remuneration based on basic wage plus at least 50% | 1.50 × basic hourly rate | The statutory night-overtime provision excludes workers on shift schedules. |
| Work on the contractual weekly rest day | Substitute rest day or the applicable normal-day wage plus at least 50% of the basic wage for that day | 1.50 × basic rate for illustrative hourly comparison | The calculator's hourly estimate does not determine which compensation option applies. |
| Public holiday work | Another day off or the normal-day wage plus at least 50% of the basic wage for that day | Not automatically calculated as ordinary overtime | Review the separate public-holiday provisions and actual circumstances. |
Standard Overtime
The general minimum premium is 25% above the basic hourly remuneration for eligible overtime. The calculator applies a multiplier of 1.25 to estimate this amount.
Night Overtime
Qualifying overtime performed between 10 pm and 4 am generally has a minimum 50% premium. Shift workers are excluded from this particular night-premium provision, so check your schedule and legal category.
Rest Days And Holidays
Rest-day and public-holiday work have their own compensation provisions. A substitute day off may be required or permitted instead of the cash arrangement described by the relevant law.
UAE Overtime Pay Calculator Formula
The calculator starts with your monthly basic wage, converts it to a daily and hourly reference rate, and applies the multiplier selected in the form. The calculation uses your chosen daily working hours and salary calculation days rather than assuming that every employment contract uses the same schedule.
Step 1: Calculate The Daily Basic Wage
Divide the monthly basic salary by the number of salary calculation days. With a monthly basic salary of AED 4,000 and a 30-day divisor, the daily basic wage reference is AED 133.33, rounded to two decimal places.
Step 2: Calculate The Hourly Basic Rate
Divide the daily basic wage by the normal working hours entered in the calculator. Using AED 4,000, 30 days and eight hours per day produces an hourly reference rate of approximately AED 16.67.
Step 3: Apply The Selected Multiplier
For the standard illustrative rate, multiply the hourly reference rate by 1.25. For the night-rate comparison, multiply it by 1.50. The selected hourly rate is then multiplied by the overtime hours entered.
Step 4: Review Your Result
The final amount includes the calculated overtime estimate and any optional additional amount you entered. The tool does not independently confirm whether each hour legally qualifies as overtime or whether your employer owes a particular amount.
Formula At A Glance
Monthly basic salary ÷ salary calculation days
Monthly basic salary ÷ days ÷ normal daily hours
Hourly basic rate × selected multiplier × overtime hours
Overtime estimate + optional confirmed extra amount
Figures are rounded for display. Intermediate calculations retain additional precision. This is a transparent estimate, not a substitute for the legally applicable payroll method.
UAE Overtime Pay Calculator Examples
These examples show how changing overtime hours or the selected multiplier changes the estimate. They use a monthly basic salary of AED 4,000, a 30-day divisor and eight normal hours per day. Actual entitlement depends on applicable law and employment circumstances.
| Overtime Hours | Hourly Basic Rate | Standard Rate (1.25×) | Night Comparison (1.50×) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | AED 16.67 | AED 41.67 | AED 50.00 |
| 5 hours | AED 16.67 | AED 104.17 | AED 125.00 |
| 10 hours | AED 16.67 | AED 208.33 | AED 250.00 |
| 15 hours | AED 16.67 | AED 312.50 | AED 375.00 |
Example: AED 5,000 Basic Salary
With a monthly basic salary of AED 5,000, 30 calculation days and eight normal hours daily, the hourly basic reference is approximately AED 20.83.
Five overtime hours at the illustrative 1.25 multiplier produce approximately AED 130.21. The same five hours at 1.50 produce approximately AED 156.25.
Example: Different Working Hours
If the same AED 4,000 basic salary is divided across 30 days and six normal hours daily, the hourly reference becomes approximately AED 22.22.
Five hours at 1.25 would produce approximately AED 138.89. This demonstrates why normal working hours matter. Use the working hours that genuinely apply to your arrangement and verify the legally required method.
How To Use The UAE Overtime Pay Calculator
For a useful estimate, enter accurate payroll information and choose the category that best matches the hours you worked. If you are unsure whether the hours qualify, compare the estimate with your contract and seek an authoritative clarification.
Enter Your Basic Salary
Use your monthly basic wage rather than adding housing, transport or other allowances. Check your employment contract or payslip if you are unsure which figure is the basic salary.
Set Hours And Overtime
Enter normal hours per day, the salary calculation divisor and the actual overtime hours. Avoid counting the same hour twice or including hours that were not worked.
Choose And Review The Rate
Select the appropriate comparison category, calculate your result and review the hourly rate. Confirm the legal treatment of shift work, rest days and public holidays separately.
Working Hours, Limits And Exceptions
Overtime calculations are only one part of the UAE employment framework. The law also addresses normal working hours, the circumstances in which overtime can be requested, daily limits and categories of workers who may be governed by different provisions.
Normal Working Hours
The UAE Government's general private-sector guidance describes normal working hours as eight hours per day or 48 hours per week. Different rules can apply to certain economic sectors or worker categories. Ramadan working-hour provisions also affect the normal schedule.
Overtime Limits
The general rule allows an employer to require overtime within specified limits, ordinarily no more than two additional hours per day, subject to the exceptions and conditions in the implementing regulations. The law also addresses a limit of 144 working hours in every three-week period. A calculator cannot determine whether an exception applies.
Night Work And Shift Schedules
Night overtime between 10 pm and 4 am has a separate premium provision, with an exception for workers working on a shift basis. Do not automatically assume that every hour during these times qualifies for the same additional payment.
Before Relying On A Result
- Confirm whether the private-sector law applies to your employment category.
- Check your basic salary, contract and recorded hours.
- Review the relevant rules for rest days, public holidays and shift work.
- Confirm whether a substitute rest day or another compensation arrangement applies.
- Check the latest legislation and amendments before making a claim.
For the official summary, see the UAE Government's working-hours guidance.
Overtime Pay Calculation Mistakes To Avoid
Small input errors can materially change the estimate. Review these common issues before comparing your calculated amount with a payslip or payroll statement.
Using Gross Salary
The general statutory overtime formula refers to basic wage. Adding every allowance to the basic wage can inflate the result and may not match the applicable calculation.
Choosing The Wrong Hours
Overtime should reflect eligible hours beyond the applicable normal schedule. Contract terms, actual attendance and relevant working-hour rules should be checked before counting hours.
Assuming Every Premium Applies
Night, weekly-rest-day and public-holiday work have specific rules. The calculator's multiplier is an estimate and cannot confirm entitlement or the correct form of compensation.
UAE Overtime Pay Calculator FAQs
Find quick answers about overtime rates, basic salary, night work, weekly rest days and how to interpret your estimate.
How is overtime pay calculated in the UAE?
For the general private-sector method, the hourly remuneration is based on basic wage. Ordinary overtime generally adds at least 25%, while qualifying night overtime between 10 pm and 4 am generally adds at least 50%, subject to applicable exceptions. Divide the basic wage into the relevant hourly reference, then apply the appropriate premium and eligible hours.
Does overtime use basic salary or gross salary?
The general statutory overtime provision calculates the normal-hours remuneration using basic wage. Gross salary can include allowances that should not automatically be treated as part of the basic wage for this calculation. Check the actual wage components in your employment documents.
What is the standard UAE overtime premium?
The general private-sector rule provides an increase of at least 25% of the normal-hours remuneration calculated on basic wage. The employee's eligibility, work category and applicable legal provisions should be confirmed before relying on a calculation.
Is night overtime paid at 50% extra?
Qualifying overtime between 10 pm and 4 am generally carries an increase of at least 50% of the basic-wage-based normal-hours remuneration. The law excludes workers working on a shift basis from this particular provision. Confirm the applicable arrangement first.
How are weekly rest days handled?
Under the general private-sector rule, work on the contractual weekly rest day can require a substitute rest day or payment at the normal-day wage plus an increase of at least 50% of the basic wage for that day. The calculator provides an illustrative hourly comparison and does not choose the legally applicable option.
Is public-holiday work the same as ordinary overtime?
Not necessarily. Article 28 addresses official-holiday work and provides for another day off or payment based on the normal-day wage plus an increase of at least 50% of basic wage for that day. Review the applicable provision rather than automatically treating every holiday hour as ordinary overtime.
Are UAE government employees covered by the same rules?
Government employees may be governed by federal or local government human-resources laws rather than the general private-sector framework. The correct calculation depends on the employer, employment category and applicable regulations. This tool is designed as a general private-sector reference.
Can my employer require unlimited overtime?
No general conclusion should be drawn from this calculator. The private-sector law contains overtime limits and conditions, including a general daily limit and rules for exceptions. Check the current law and implementing regulations for your situation.
Does this calculator include allowances or deductions?
No. It uses the monthly basic salary, hours and selected multiplier entered, plus an optional additional confirmed amount. It does not automatically calculate allowances, deductions, taxes, unpaid absences or other payroll adjustments.
Can I use this result as legal proof of unpaid overtime?
No. The result is an estimate, not a legal ruling or proof of entitlement. Preserve attendance records, approved overtime instructions, contracts and payslips, then seek guidance from the appropriate UAE employment authority or a qualified adviser if there is a dispute.
Estimate Your UAE Overtime Pay With Confidence
Use the UAE Overtime Pay Calculator as a starting point for understanding your additional hours and basic-wage reference. Check the applicable employment rules and your actual payroll records before making decisions about compensation.
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