How Shift Differentials Work - Premium on Top of Base

A shift differential is a premium on top of base — night, evening, weekend, or charge hours — not a replacement for overtime. Hospitals spell the rules in the handbook; this site only multiplies the numbers you type.

Start with the premium shape

Some units pay a flat $/hour; others pay a percent of base. Use the shift differential calculator for a generic premium, or jump to the night, evening, or weekend tools when the label matches your offer.

Stack into a week

Differentials only matter when they land on real hours. The paycheck-with-differentials and nurse shift pay calculators stack base → premium → optional OT into one week gross.

What this guide is not

Not payroll, tax, or employment advice — and not a DOL or state OT database. See methodology for the open math.