Key takeaways
- Overtime pay applies to workmen earning up to $4,500 basic a month and other employees earning up to $2,600.
- For monthly-rated staff, the hourly basic rate is (12 × monthly basic salary) ÷ (52 × 44). Overtime is paid at least 1.5 times that.
- Overtime is capped at 72 hours a month, and total work at 12 hours a day.
- Overtime must be paid within 14 days after the end of the salary period.
Who is entitled to overtime pay
The overtime rules in Part 4 of the Employment Act cover:
- Workmen (mainly manual work) earning a basic monthly salary of $4,500 or less; and
- other employees (non-workmen) earning a basic monthly salary of $2,600 or less.
"Basic salary" here excludes overtime, bonuses, AWS, productivity incentives, reimbursements and all allowances. Managers and executives aren't covered by Part 4, so whether they get overtime depends on their contract.
Normal working hours
| Work pattern | Normal hours |
|---|---|
| 5 days a week or fewer | Up to 9 hours a day or 44 hours a week |
| More than 5 days a week | Up to 8 hours a day or 44 hours a week |
| Alternating weeks | Up to 48 hours in a week, and no more than 88 hours over 2 weeks |
| Shift work | Up to 12 hours a day, averaging 44 hours a week over 3 weeks |
Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Any work beyond normal hours is overtime. Breaks don't count as working time.
The overtime formula
Overtime is paid at at least 1.5 times the hourly basic rate. Work out the hourly basic rate like this:
| How the employee is paid | Hourly basic rate |
|---|---|
| Monthly-rated | (12 × monthly basic salary) ÷ (52 × 44) |
| Daily-rated | Daily basic pay ÷ normal hours per day |
| Piece-rated | Weekly basic pay ÷ hours worked that week |
Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Cap for non-workmen: for non-workmen, the overtime rate is capped at the $2,600 salary level. MOM states this as $13.60 an hour, even if the employee earns less than $2,600 but works on a different basis.
Worked examples
Example 1, MOM's own: a non-workman earning $2,600 works 2 hours of overtime. Overtime pay = $13.60 × 1.5 × 2 = $40.80.
Example 2: a workman earning $2,000 basic a month works 10 hours of overtime. Hourly basic rate = (12 × $2,000) ÷ (52 × 44) = $24,000 ÷ 2,288 = $10.49. Overtime pay = $10.49 × 1.5 × 10 = $157.35.
Limits on hours
- No more than 12 hours of work a day, except in situations such as accidents, essential services or urgent machinery work. Employers can apply to MOM for an exemption of up to 14 hours.
- No more than 72 hours of overtime a month, unless MOM grants an exemption.
- Work on a rest day or public holiday doesn't count towards the 72 hours, except hours beyond normal daily hours on those days.
Pay for working on a rest day
Employees covered by Part 4 get one rest day a week. If they work on it, pay depends on who asked:
| Who asked for the work | Up to half normal daily hours | More than half | Beyond normal daily hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer | 1 day's salary | 2 days' salary | 2 days' salary + overtime |
| Employee | Half a day's salary | 1 day's salary | 1 day's salary + overtime |
Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
When to pay overtime
Overtime must be paid within 14 days after the last day of the salary period, and shown on the itemised payslip with the overtime hours and the overtime period.
HRKaki Attendance
Clock-in records feed HRKaki payroll, which works out overtime under MOM rules and shows it on every payslip.
Frequently asked questions
Who is entitled to overtime pay in Singapore?
Workmen earning a basic salary of up to $4,500 a month and other employees earning up to $2,600 a month, under Part 4 of the Employment Act. Managers and executives depend on their contract.
What is the overtime rate in Singapore?
At least 1.5 times the hourly basic rate. For monthly-rated employees, the hourly basic rate is (12 × monthly basic salary) ÷ (52 × 44).
What is the maximum overtime per month?
72 hours a month, unless MOM grants an exemption.
When must overtime be paid?
Within 14 days after the last day of the salary period.
Sources
Information sourced from
Figures and rules in this article come from the official sources listed below, checked on 13 October 2026. Avelogic is not affiliated with these agencies. For the authoritative and latest position, refer to the agency directly.
- MOM: Hours of work, overtime and rest days
- MOM: Who is covered by the Employment Act
- MOM: Paying salary
This guide is general information based on official sources at the date shown, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check the CPF Board, IRAS, MOM or MOE for the latest position.