Is overtime calculated on basic salary or total salary?

Statutory overtime is strictly calculated upon the employee’s BASIC salary, excluding allowances.

Salary & Work

Updated: November 2026

UAE Overtime Calculator

Calculate normal overtime (1.25x), night overtime (1.50x), and rest day pay under UAE Labour Law Article 19.

Monthly Basic Salary (AED)

AED

Article 19 explicitly bases hourly rate strictly on Basic Salary, not gross salary.

Overtime Hours Worked

Daytime Overtime Hours (4:00 AM – 10:00 PM)8 Hours (1.25×)

Night Overtime Hours (10:00 PM – 4:00 AM)4 Hours (1.50×)

Rest Day Overtime Hours0 Hours (1.50×)

Labour Law Article 19

Total Overtime Compensation

AED 400.00

Base Hourly Wage: AED 25.00 / hr

Standard Daily Wage (AED 6000 ÷ 30):AED 200.00

Standard Hourly Rate (Daily ÷ 8):AED 25.00 / hr

Daytime Rate (1.25× = AED 31.25/hr):AED 250.00

Night Rate (1.50× = AED 37.50/hr):AED 150.00

Max 2 hours/day statutory limit

Calculation Methodology & Legal Basis

Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 mandates: Standard work hours are 8 hours/day (48 hours/week). Hourly wage = (Basic Salary / 30) / 8. Daytime overtime: Hourly rate + 25% (1.25×). Night overtime (between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM): Hourly rate + 50% (1.50×). Rest day work: Hourly rate + 50% (1.50×) or an alternate day off. Overtime cannot exceed 2 hours per day unless necessary to prevent severe loss.

Worked Example

Basic salary AED 6,000. Daily rate = AED 6,000 / 30 = AED 200. Hourly rate = AED 200 / 8 = AED 25. Normal overtime = AED 25 × 1.25 = AED 31.25/hr. Night overtime = AED 25 × 1.50 = AED 37.50/hr. 10 hours normal overtime = AED 312.50.

Official Government & Regulatory Sources

MOHRE - Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 — Articles 17, 18, and 19 concerning Working Hours and OvertimeVisit Official Portal