Working Hours in the US
The legal working week and day in the US, how overtime is paid, which days are the weekend, normal office hours and the paid leave you are owed.
Working week in the US
40 hoursThere is no federal limit on weekly hours for adults, but under the Fair Labor Standards Act most hourly employees must be paid overtime for hours over 40 in a workweek. Full-time work is usually 40 hours, Monday to Friday.
Working day in the US
No limitFederal law sets no daily limit for adults. California pays overtime after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12, and Alaska, Colorado and Nevada have daily overtime rules too.
Overtime pay in the US
1.5×Non-exempt employees get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour over 40 in a week. Salaried staff who meet the executive, administrative or professional exemption tests are not owed overtime by law.
Weekend days in the US
Sat–SunSaturday and Sunday are the weekend for offices, banks and government. Shops, restaurants and many services open seven days, and no federal law requires extra pay for weekend work.
Business hours in the US
9am–5pmMost offices work 9am to 5pm or 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with a lunch break. Banks usually open about 9am to 5pm on weekdays and some on Saturday mornings.
Annual leave in the US
0 daysNo federal law requires paid vacation or paid public holidays. Most full-time employees get 10 to 15 days a year from their employer, and a few states, such as Maine, Nevada and Illinois, require paid leave that can be used for any reason.
Checked 24 October 2026 against national labour laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you.
Working days in the US 2026
Business days and working hours by month, after weekends and holidays.
Minimum wage in the US
The hourly and monthly minimum, in local money and US dollars.
US federal holidays 2026
Every holiday with its date and long weekends.
Working hours in the US: questions and answers
How many hours is the working week in the US?
There is no federal limit on weekly hours for adults, but under the Fair Labor Standards Act most hourly employees must be paid overtime for hours over 40 in a workweek. Full-time work is usually 40 hours, Monday to Friday.
How many hours a day can you work in the US?
Federal law sets no daily limit for adults. California pays overtime after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12, and Alaska, Colorado and Nevada have daily overtime rules too.
How is overtime paid in the US?
Non-exempt employees get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour over 40 in a week. Salaried staff who meet the executive, administrative or professional exemption tests are not owed overtime by law.
Which days are the weekend in the US?
Saturday and Sunday are the weekend for offices, banks and government. Shops, restaurants and many services open seven days, and no federal law requires extra pay for weekend work.
What are normal business hours in the US?
Most offices work 9am to 5pm or 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with a lunch break. Banks usually open about 9am to 5pm on weekdays and some on Saturday mornings.
How many days of paid leave do you get in the US?
No federal law requires paid vacation or paid public holidays. Most full-time employees get 10 to 15 days a year from their employer, and a few states, such as Maine, Nevada and Illinois, require paid leave that can be used for any reason.
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