Overtime Calculator South Africa (2026) — Calculate BCEA Overtime Pay
Use this free calculator to check your overtime pay is correct under South African labour law. Enter your salary and overtime hours to see exactly what you should be paid. The payslip checker below helps you verify your PAYE tax, UIF, and take-home pay.
Overtime Pay Calculator
Based on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)
Payslip Deduction Checker
Verify your PAYE tax, UIF, and net pay
How to Calculate Overtime Pay in South Africa
Overtime pay in South Africa is governed by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), No. 75 of 1997. The Act sets minimum rates that employers must pay for work beyond ordinary hours. Many South African workers are underpaid for overtime because they don't know the correct rates or how to calculate them.
The formula to calculate your overtime pay is straightforward:
Step 1: Hourly Rate = Monthly Salary ÷ 4.333 ÷ Hours Per Week
Step 2: Overtime Pay = Hourly Rate × Overtime Rate × Hours Worked
Example: Sarah earns R12,000 per month and works 45 hours per week. Her normal hourly rate is R12,000 ÷ 4.333 ÷ 45 = R61.54/hour. If she works 8 hours of weekday overtime and 5 hours on a Sunday:
- Weekday overtime: 8 hours × R61.54 × 1.5 = R738.48
- Sunday overtime: 5 hours × R61.54 × 2 = R615.40
- Total overtime pay: R1,353.88
BCEA Overtime Rates (2026)
The following table shows the minimum overtime pay rates required by the BCEA. Your employer may pay more than these rates, but never less.
| Type of Work | Rate | Example (R60/hr normal rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal hours (ordinary time) | 1x | R60.00/hour |
| Weekday overtime | 1.5x | R90.00/hour |
| Saturday overtime | 1.5x | R90.00/hour |
| Sunday work (not normally a working day) | 2x | R120.00/hour |
| Public holiday (worked) | 2x | R120.00/hour |
| Public holiday (not worked, but normally would) | 1x | R60.00 (normal daily wage paid) |
| Night shift allowance (common practice) | +10% | R66.00/hour |
* Night shift allowance is not mandated by the BCEA but is a common industry practice and often included in collective agreements.
Maximum Overtime Hours Allowed
The BCEA sets strict limits on overtime to protect employees' health and wellbeing:
- Maximum 10 hours of overtime per week
- Maximum 3 hours of overtime per day
- Maximum 12 hours of total work per day (ordinary time + overtime)
- Maximum 45 ordinary hours per week (9 hours/day for 5 days, or 8 hours/day for 6 days)
Employers and employees can enter into a written agreement to work up to 15 hours of overtime per week, but only for up to 2 months in any 12-month period. The total overtime in any 4-month period may not exceed 40 hours unless a collective agreement allows otherwise. Employees must have at least 12 consecutive hours of rest between working days and at least 36 consecutive hours of rest per week (which must include a Sunday unless otherwise agreed).
Who Qualifies for Overtime Pay?
The BCEA overtime provisions apply to most employees in South Africa, but there are important exceptions:
BCEA earnings threshold: Employees earning above R241,110.59 per year (R20,092.55 per month) in 2025/2026 are not covered by the BCEA overtime provisions. Their overtime terms are determined by their employment contracts. This threshold is reviewed annually.
Excluded categories: The following employees are excluded from BCEA overtime provisions regardless of earnings:
- Senior managers and employees who can determine their own working hours
- Sales staff who travel and regulate their own working hours
- Employees who work fewer than 24 hours per month
- Members of the National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency, and South African Secret Service
- Unpaid volunteers working for charitable organisations
Understanding Your Payslip
Every South African employee has the right to receive a payslip with each payment. Understanding what each line means helps you verify you are being paid correctly. Here are the key components:
- Basic salary: Your agreed monthly salary before any additions or deductions
- Overtime: Additional pay for hours worked beyond your ordinary working hours
- Allowances: Travel, housing, phone, or other allowances (if applicable)
- Gross pay: The total of basic salary + overtime + allowances before deductions
- PAYE (Pay As You Earn): Income tax deducted at source by your employer
- UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund): 1% of your salary (capped at R177.12/month)
- Pension/Provident fund: Your retirement fund contribution (if applicable)
- Medical aid: Your medical scheme contribution (if applicable)
- Net pay: Your take-home pay after all deductions
Your employer is legally required to provide a payslip showing all these items. If your payslip does not show overtime separately, or if the amounts seem incorrect, use the calculators above to verify what you should be receiving.
PAYE Tax Brackets 2025/2026
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is the income tax deducted from your salary by your employer each month. South Africa uses a progressive tax system where higher earners pay a higher percentage. The 2025/2026 tax brackets are:
| Taxable Income (Annual) | Tax Rate | Tax Payable |
|---|---|---|
| R0 – R237,100 | 18% | 18% of taxable income |
| R237,101 – R370,500 | 26% | R42,678 + 26% above R237,100 |
| R370,501 – R512,800 | 31% | R77,362 + 31% above R370,500 |
| R512,801 – R673,000 | 36% | R121,475 + 36% above R512,800 |
| R673,001 – R857,900 | 39% | R179,147 + 39% above R673,000 |
| R857,901 – R1,817,000 | 41% | R251,258 + 41% above R857,900 |
| R1,817,001 and above | 45% | R644,489 + 45% above R1,817,000 |
All taxpayers under 65 receive a primary rebate of R17,235 per year, which effectively means you pay no tax on the first R95,750 of annual income (R7,979 per month). Taxpayers aged 65 and over receive an additional secondary rebate of R9,444, and those 75 and over receive a further tertiary rebate of R3,145.
What to Do If You're Not Paid Overtime
If your employer is not paying you the correct overtime rates, you have several options:
- Raise it with your employer: Start by discussing the issue with your manager or HR department. Show them the BCEA overtime rates and your calculations. Sometimes underpayment is an administrative error.
- Contact the Department of Employment and Labour: File a complaint at your nearest Labour Centre or call the Department of Labour helpline at 012 309 4000. A labour inspector will investigate your complaint.
- Refer the matter to the CCMA: If the issue is not resolved through the Department of Labour, you can refer an unfair labour practice dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The referral must be made within 6 months of the underpayment.
- Lodge a claim at the Labour Court: For amounts exceeding what the CCMA can award, or for complex disputes, you can approach the Labour Court.
- Keep records: Document all overtime hours worked, including dates, start and end times. Keep copies of your payslips and employment contract. These records are essential evidence for any claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is overtime calculated in South Africa?
Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), overtime is calculated based on your normal hourly rate. Your hourly rate is your monthly salary divided by 4.333 (weeks per month) divided by your ordinary hours per week. Weekday and Saturday overtime is paid at 1.5 times your normal hourly rate. Sunday and public holiday work is paid at 2 times your normal rate. For example, if your monthly salary is R12,000 and you work 45 hours per week, your hourly rate is R61.54. Weekday overtime would be R92.31 per hour (1.5x).
What is the overtime rate for Sundays?
The BCEA requires that work on Sundays is paid at double (2x) the employee's normal hourly rate. For example, if your normal hourly rate is R60, you should be paid R120 per hour for Sunday work. If a Sunday is also your normal working day (e.g., retail workers), the rate is 1.5x. Public holidays are also paid at 2x the normal rate if you work on that day.
How many overtime hours are allowed per week?
The BCEA limits overtime to a maximum of 10 hours per week, or 3 hours per day. An employee may not work more than 12 hours on any day (ordinary time plus overtime). Employers and employees can agree in writing to exceed these limits in certain circumstances, but the total overtime in any 4-month period cannot exceed 40 hours. These limits protect workers from excessive working hours.
Do I have to work overtime if my boss asks?
No. Under the BCEA, overtime work must be agreed upon between the employer and employee. Your employer cannot force you to work overtime unless it is part of your employment contract or a collective agreement. However, refusing overtime that is part of a reasonable agreement could have consequences. If your employer forces overtime without agreement, you can report this to the Department of Labour.
Is overtime pay taxed differently?
No, overtime pay is not taxed differently in South Africa. Overtime earnings are added to your regular salary and the total is taxed according to the normal PAYE tax tables. However, because overtime increases your total monthly income, the additional earnings may push you into a higher tax bracket, meaning the effective tax rate on your overtime income could be higher than on your normal salary.
What is the BCEA earnings threshold for overtime?
The BCEA earnings threshold is R241,110.59 per year (R20,092.55 per month) for 2025/2026. Employees earning above this threshold are not automatically protected by the overtime provisions of the BCEA. This means high-earning employees' overtime terms are governed by their individual employment contracts rather than the BCEA minimum rates. The threshold is updated annually by the Minister of Labour.
Can my employer pay me time off instead of overtime?
Yes. The BCEA allows employers and employees to agree that paid time off (time off in lieu or TOIL) can be given instead of overtime pay. The time off must be granted within one month of the overtime being worked, and the amount of time off must be at least equal to the overtime worked. For example, 2 hours of overtime at 1.5x rate should result in at least 3 hours of paid time off. This must be agreed upon in writing.
How do I calculate my hourly rate from monthly salary?
To calculate your hourly rate from your monthly salary in South Africa, use this formula: Hourly rate = Monthly salary / 4.333 / ordinary hours per week. For example, if you earn R15,000 per month and work 45 hours per week: R15,000 / 4.333 / 45 = R76.93 per hour. The 4.333 figure represents the average number of weeks in a month (52 weeks / 12 months). If you work 40 hours per week, the calculation would be R15,000 / 4.333 / 40 = R86.54 per hour.
Disclaimer: This calculator is based on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) minimum overtime rates and the 2025/2026 PAYE tax tables. Actual amounts may vary based on your specific employment contract, sectoral determinations, collective agreements, and individual tax circumstances (age rebates, medical tax credits, etc.). This tool provides estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For specific queries, consult a labour law specialist or contact the Department of Employment and Labour.
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