How much overtime pay should you get in the Philippines?

Overtime pay in the Philippines: at least 25% more per hour on ordinary days and 30% on rest days and holidays, with worked examples and how to claim it.

6 min read. Updated 2026-10-07. By Catalyst Outsourcing.

Work past eight hours in a day and the law says you're owed overtime pay: at least 25% more per hour on an ordinary day, and the day's rate plus at least 30% on a rest day or holiday. Article 87 of the Labor Code sets it, and DOLE's handbook gives the rate for each kind of day. Here's how much you should get, with worked examples, and what to do if it's unpaid, read on 7 October 2026.

This guide explains the law for employees in the Philippines. It's general information and isn't legal advice. If you have a dispute with your employer, you can call DOLE Hotline 1349.

How much overtime pay should you receive?

Article 87 says: "Work may be performed beyond eight (8) hours a day provided that the employee is paid for the overtime work, an additional compensation equivalent to his regular wage plus at least twenty-five percent (25%) thereof. Work performed beyond eight hours on a holiday or rest day shall be paid an additional compensation equivalent to the rate of the first eight hours on a holiday or rest day plus at least thirty percent (30%) thereof."

DOLE's handbook turns that into a multiplier for each hour past eight:

Ordinary day: 1 x 1.25 = 1.25, or 125%
Rest day or special non-working day: 1.3 x 1.3 = 1.69, or 169%
Special non-working day on your rest day: 1.5 x 1.3 = 1.95, or 195%
Regular holiday: 2 x 1.3 = 2.6, or 260%
Regular holiday on your rest day: 2.6 x 1.3 = 3.38, or 338%

How overtime pay is computed, step by step

Find your hourly rate. If you're paid by the day, divide your daily wage by 8, the normal hours of work under Article 83.
Pick the multiplier for the day you worked the extra hours.
Multiply: hourly rate x multiplier x overtime hours.

The wage you start from is your cash wage. Article 90 says the "regular wage" for overtime "shall include the cash wage only, without deduction on account of facilities provided by the employer".

Example: your daily wage is PHP 800, so PHP 800 / 8 = PHP 100 an hour. You work 2 hours past your 8 on a Tuesday. PHP 100 x 1.25 x 2 = PHP 250 in overtime pay.

Overtime on a rest day, special day or holiday

Example: at PHP 100 an hour, 2 overtime hours on your rest day pay PHP 100 x 1.3 x 1.3 x 2 = PHP 338. On a regular holiday, the same 2 hours pay PHP 100 x 2 x 1.3 x 2 = PHP 520.

Overtime that falls between 10 PM and 6 AM also earns night differential, and our night differential guide shows how DOLE stacks the two rates.

When your employer can require overtime

Article 89 lets an employer require overtime in these cases:

A national or local emergency declared by Congress or the President
To prevent loss of life or property, or imminent danger to public safety, in a disaster or calamity
Urgent work on machines, installations or equipment to avoid serious loss or damage to the employer
Work needed to prevent loss or damage to perishable goods
Finishing work started before the eighth hour, when stopping would seriously obstruct or prejudice the business

Overtime under Article 89 is still paid at the overtime rates above. Article 88 adds that undertime on one day "shall not be offset by overtime work on any other day", so leaving early on Monday doesn't cancel your overtime pay for staying late on Tuesday.

Who isn't covered by overtime pay

DOLE's handbook says overtime pay covers the same employees as premium pay. It leaves out:

Government employees
Managerial employees, and officers or members of the managerial staff, as the handbook defines them
Kasambahay, and persons in the personal service of another
Workers paid by results, like piece rate or pakyaw, whose output rates meet DOLE's standards
Field personnel who work away from the office and whose hours can't be determined with reasonable certainty

On our reading, these are employee rules: Article 82 applies this part of the Code to "employees in all establishments and undertakings". If you freelance or work as an independent contractor, check what your contract says about extra hours.

How to claim unpaid overtime pay

Keep your own record of the hours you worked past eight, with the dates.
Check them against your payslip with the multipliers above.
Ask HR or payroll in writing to correct any gap, and keep a copy.
If it isn't fixed, DOLE's handbook says to call the DOLE Hotline or the DOLE regional office for your workplace.

Holidays change the rates. See holiday pay for 2026 and night differential, and check the daily wage for your region on our minimum wage tool. After a year in a job you may also have five days of service incentive leave. Looking for a new role? Browse remote jobs. It's free to apply.

Questions

How is overtime pay computed in the Philippines?

On an ordinary day, hourly rate x 1.25 x overtime hours. On a rest day or special non-working day, the day's rate plus 30%: hourly rate x 1.3 x 1.3 x overtime hours.

Is overtime pay 25% or 30%?

25% of your hourly rate on an ordinary working day. On a rest day, special day or holiday, 30% on top of that day's rate.

Can my employer make me work overtime?

Only in the cases Article 89 lists, such as an emergency, urgent work to avoid serious loss, or work needed to save perishable goods or to finish a job started before the eighth hour. You're still paid overtime for it.

Does undertime cancel overtime?

No. Article 88 says undertime on one day "shall not be offset by overtime work on any other day".

Sources

DOLE, Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended and renumbered, 2022 edition, Articles 82, 83 and 87 to 90, https://bwc.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Labor-Code-of-the-Philippines.pdf, read 7 October 2026
DOLE Bureau of Working Conditions, Handbook on Workers' Statutory Monetary Benefits, 2024 Edition, https://bwc.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Workers-Statutory-Monetary-Benefits-Handbook-2024-Edition.pdf, read 7 October 2026