The Difference Between an Exempt and a Non-Exempt Employee

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There are two basic types of employees in the workplace—“exempt employees” and “non-exempt employees.” What’s the difference between these types of workers and the jobs they hold?

The most significant difference is compensation for overtime work. The term “exempt” means exempt from being paid overtime. There are regulations that govern whether an employee could be exempt from receiving overtime pay.

Here's information on the differences between exempt and non-exempt workers, employees who are entitled to overtime pay, and workers who are exempt from overtime pay requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Certain occupations and types of workers are exempt from overtime pay requirements and don't receive overtime pay.
  • Employees not exempt from overtime pay requirements receive a minimum of one and a half times their regular rate of pay for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek.
  • In states where the minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum ($7.25), the employee receives overtime pay based on the state's minimum wage.

Exempt Employees

Certain types of employees, often classified as exempt employees, are not entitled to overtime pay as guaranteed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In addition, most states have their own wage and hourly-rate laws that may have even more requirements in addition to the FLSA.

The FLSA requires that employers pay at least minimum wage for up to 40 hours in a workweek and overtime pay for any additional time unless the employee falls into an exception category.

Note

In addition to the Fair Labor Standards Act, many states have their own set of wage requirements and laws, and employers must abide by both federal and state laws to stay compliant.

If an employee is considered exempt (vs. non-exempt), their employer is not required to pay them overtime pay. It is at the employer’s discretion whether or not to pay for hours worked overtime.

Some employers might create an employee benefits package with extra perks in lieu of overtime pay. If you are consistently asked to work overtime, you may be able to negotiate a raise.

In general, to be considered an “exempt” employee, you must be paid by salary (not hourly), earn over the standard salary level, and must perform executive, administrative, or professional duties or work in an occupation that is exempt from overtime pay requirements.

To complicate matters further for employers, there are additional federal, state, and FLSA laws related to other classifications of workers, such as interns, independent contractors, temporary employees, volunteers, workers-in-training, foreign workers, and exempt occupations that employers are required to abide by.

Non-Exempt Employees

A non-exempt employee is entitled to overtime pay through the Fair Labor Standards Act. Also, some states have expanded overtime pay guidelines. Check with your state department of labor website for rules in your location.

Employers are required to pay time and a half the employee’s regular rate of pay when they work more than 40 hours in a given pay week.

Most employees must be paid at least the federal minimum wage ($7.25 in 2023) for regular time and at least time and a half for any hours worked over the standard 40.

Types of Exempt Employees

The Fair Labor Standards Act recognizes the following main categories of exempt workers:

  • Executive
  • Professional
  • Administrative
  • Computer
  • Outside Sales
  • Occupations that are exempt from overtime pay regulations

These categories are purposefully broad to encompass many types of jobs.

Note

It is the tasks performed on the job, not the job title alone, that determine exempt vs. non-exempt employment status.

The FLSA guarantees non-exempt employees one and one-half times their normal pay rate for overtime worked during a given work period.

Guidelines for Exemption from Overtime Pay Requirements

As of January 1, 2020, administrative, executive, and professional employees, salespeople, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) employees can be classified as exempt and, therefore, can be ineligible for overtime pay if they meet the following criteria:

  • Employees are paid a salary as opposed to being paid on an hourly basis
  • Employees earn at least $684 per week or $35,568 annually
  • Employees are paid a salary for any week they work

Also, to qualify for exemption from overtime, employees must also meet certain employment tests regarding their job duties and responsibilities.

The following general conditions must be met to designate an employee as exempt:

  • For the executive exemption, employees must have a primary duty of managing the enterprise or a department or subdivision of the enterprise; must customarily and regularly direct the work of at least two employees; and must have the authority to hire or fire, or their suggestions and recommendations as to the hiring, firing, or changing the status of other employees must be given particular weight.
  • For the administrative exemption, employees must have a primary duty of performing office or non-manual work directly related to the management or general business operations of the employer or the employer's customers, and their primary duty must include the exercise of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance.
  • For a professional exemption, employees must have a primary duty of work requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by prolonged, specialized, intellectual instruction and study, or must specialize in a few other similarly, highly specialized fields, such as teaching, computer analytics, and engineering.
  • Highly compensated employees may be exempt if they perform office or non-manual work and earn an annual salary of $107,432 or higher. To qualify, they must perform at least one of the duties of an exempt executive, administrative, or professional employee.
  • For the computer exemption, employees must be employed as a computer systems analyst, computer programmer, software engineer, or other similarly skilled workers in the computer field with job responsibilities that meet the criteria for exemption.
  • To qualify for the outside sales exemption, employees must have a primary duty of making sales or obtaining orders or contracts. The work must be conducted away from an employer's place or places of business.
  • To qualify for other exemptions, employees must work in an occupation that is exempt from overtime pay requirements as designated in the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Note

Employers can use non-discretionary bonuses and incentive payments (including commissions) paid at least annually to satisfy up to 10% of the standard salary level, in recognition of evolving pay practices.

Exceptions to Overtime Requirements

In addition to the main categories of exempt employees (administrative, executive, professional, computer, and outside sales), there are other employees who may be exempt from overtime pay requirements:

  1. Certain commissioned employees of retail or service establishments; auto, truck, trailer, farm implement, boat, or aircraft sales workers; or parts clerks and mechanics servicing autos, trucks, or farm implements, who are employed by non-manufacturing establishments primarily engaged in selling these items to ultimate purchasers
  2. Employees of railroads and air carriers, taxi drivers, certain employees of motor carriers, seamen on American vessels, and local delivery employees paid on approved trip rate plans
  3. Announcers, news editors, and chief engineers of certain non-metropolitan broadcasting stations
  4. Domestic service workers living in the employer’s residence
  5. Employees of motion picture theaters
  6. Farmworkers
  7. Other occupations, as defined in the Fair Labor Standards Act

State Guidelines for Classification of Exempt Workers and Overtime Pay

Not all states have the same guidelines for exempt employees. For example, to classify an individual as exempt from overtime requirements in California employers must pay the worker at least twice the prevailing minimum wage. All other employees would automatically be eligible for overtime regardless of job responsibilities. Workers earning over the salary threshold would still need to meet the other criteria for exempt status to be placed in that category.

Also, non-exempt employees must be paid overtime wages equivalent to at least 1.5 times the California minimum wage of $15.50 per hour (2023), which is $23.25 per hour.

In New York, the state's minimum salary threshold for executive and administrative employees has been increased in phases, and the actual rate depends on geographic location and employer size. For example, the threshold for administrative employees, effective 12/31/21, is for employees who work in New York City. In Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, the threshold is $1125 per week.

Check with your state labor department for the latest overtime provisions in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is overtime pay?

For non-exempt employees who are eligible for overtime pay, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times an employee's regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek.

When do employees receive overtime pay?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay for covered, non-exempt employees after 40 hours of work in a workweek.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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