PaySkein / GS overtime

GS overtime pay, explained in plain language.

Understand the Title 5 basics, check the official sources, and compare a supported overtime estimate with your own pay-period records.

Run a gross-pay auditRead the Title 5 overview

The rule

What Title 5 says about overtime

Under 5 U.S.C. § 5542, overtime generally includes work officially ordered or approved beyond 40 hours in an administrative workweek, or beyond 8 hours in a day where the statute applies. The law contains exceptions, so an extra hour on a timesheet does not by itself establish overtime eligibility.

OPM explains how to compute the applicable rate. PaySkein’s supported audit models Title 5 overtime at 1.5× basic hourly pay and applies the GS-10, step-1 limitation rule in its calculation. Your agency’s payroll rules and individual circumstances determine the official result.

OPM — How to Compute Rates of Pay5 U.S.C. § 5542

Pay-period review

A practical LES overtime checklist

Use the same pay period and compare the source records with each line on your statement.

  1. Check 01

    Match the pay period

    Compare the dates on your LES with the timecard and overtime authorization for that same period.

  2. Check 02

    Check the hours and rate

    Review approved overtime hours, the hourly rate used, and any applicable rate limitation against your agency records.

  3. Check 03

    Compare gross pay first

    Separate gross earnings from taxes and other deductions, then review each premium line so the same hours are not counted twice.

Calculator scope

A focused estimate, not an eligibility decision

The gross-pay audit uses a 2026 BOP-focused law-enforcement pay snapshot for grades GS-3 through GS-10. Its overtime estimate applies the Title 5 1.5× basic-hourly-rate assumption and the GS-10, step-1 limitation rule. It does not represent every GS employee or agency and does not model every FLSA status, special pay rule, or agency-specific agreement.

Informational estimate only. It does not determine overtime eligibility or replace your official LES, timecard, agency guidance, or payroll review.

Check a pay-period estimate

Related pay tools

Continue with a focused pay guide