Guide to Calculating Blended Rates for Overtime Pay in California in 2024 [Free Calculator]

June 6, 2024

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1. Introduction

Calculating blended rates in California is crucial for staying compliant with state labor laws, especially when employees work multiple positions at different rates. This guide will walk you through the process of determining a blended rate and calculating overtime pay accurately.

2. What is a Blended Rate in California?

A blended rate is an average hourly rate calculated from multiple hourly rates that an employee earns in different positions. This rate simplifies payroll processing and ensures that employees are paid correctly according to the varying rates of pay for their different roles.

It is the weighted average, the State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations defines the regular rate of pay (or blended rates) as “…the compensation an employee normally earns for the work they perform. The regular rate of pay includes a number of different kinds of remuneration, such as hourly earnings, salary, piecework earnings, and commissions. In no case may the regular rate of pay be less than the applicable minimum wage.” So Blended Rates are rates that are calculated adding the different forms of compensation an employee receives. The total is then divided by the total of number of hours worked in order to get the blended rate.

3. Steps to Calculate a Blended Rate

To calculate an employee’s blended rate, follow these three simple steps:

Determine the Hourly Wage for Each Position: Identify the hourly wage for each role the employee works.
- Example: Sarah works as a cashier at $14.00 per hour and as a stocker at $15.00 per hour.
Determine the Number of Hours Worked in Each Position: Record the total hours worked in each role.
- Example: Sarah worked 20 hours as a cashier and 10 hours as a stocker.
Calculate the Blended Rate: Multiply the hours worked by the hourly wage for each position to find the total wages, then divide the total wages by the total hours worked.
- Calculation:
  - Total Wages: (20 hours * $14.00) + (10 hours * $15.00) = $280 + $150 = $430
  - Total Hours: 20 hours + 10 hours = 30 hours
  - Blended Rate: $430 / 30 hours = $14.33 per hour

Now you have the employee’s blended rate. Note that this calculation can become more complex if there are bonuses, commissions, or other forms of variable pay involved.

4. Example of Calculating Overtime with a Blended Rate

Consider a practical scenario to understand how to apply the blended rate for overtime calculations.

Scenario: Store B’s workweek runs from Monday to Sunday. Sarah works:

8 hours per day from Monday to Thursday as a cashier at $14.00 per hour.
8 hours per day from Friday to Saturday as a stocker at $15.00 per hour.

Sarah has not worked more than 8 hours in a single day, so there is no daily overtime, but she has worked a total of 48 hours in the week, exceeding the 40-hour weekly threshold.

Steps to Calculate Overtime Pay

Calculate Overtime Hours: Subtract 40 hours from the total hours worked to determine the overtime hours.
- Total Hours Worked: 48
- Overtime Hours: 48 – 40 = 8 hours
Determine the Blended Rate: Calculate the blended rate using the total wages and total hours worked.
- Total Wages: (32 hours * $14.00) + (16 hours * $15.00) = $448 + $240 = $688
- Total Hours: 48
- Blended Rate: $688 / 48 hours = $14.33 per hour
Calculate the Overtime Rate: Multiply the blended rate by 1.5 to get the overtime rate.
- Overtime Rate: $14.33 * 1.5 = $21.50 per hour
Calculate Total Overtime Pay: Multiply the overtime rate by the number of overtime hours.
- Total Overtime Pay: $21.50 * 8 hours = $172.00

Need to calculate California Blended Rate? Use our free calculator below to simplify your payroll calculations.

5. California Blended Rate Calculator

Positions Name

Position 1 Rate ($/hr):

Position 2 Rate ($/hr):

Hours Worked

Total Hours @ Position 1:

Total Hours @ Position 2:

Regular & Overtime hours owed

Regular Hours Owed:

Overtime Hours Owed:

Blended rate: $0.00

Overtime blended rate (blended rate x 1.5): $0.00

Total wages: $0.00

Total Regular Pay: $0.00

Total Overtime Pay: $0.00

Total Pay: $0.00

Disclaimer: This document is provided by UZIO Technology, Inc. (“UZIO”) for information purposes only. This is not an official or legal document and should not be taken as legal advice. UZIO does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the above information provided. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please check with the proper governing authority.

6. Conclusion

By following these steps, you can ensure that you are calculating overtime pay correctly and in compliance with California labor laws. Accurate payroll processing not only helps avoid penalties but also fosters trust and transparency with employees. For more complex scenarios involving bonuses or commissions, consider consulting with a payroll specialist or using a dedicated payroll software tool.

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