The number of salaried workers guaranteed overtime pay has plummeted since 1979: Number of salaried workers* covered by overtime salary threshold, 1979–2014 (in millions)

Year Number of salaried workers* covered
1979 12.6
1980 10.8
1981 8.9
1982 7.4
1983 6.5
1984 5.8
1985 5.1
1986 4.5
1987 3.8
1988 3.5
1989 3.4
1990 3.0
1991 2.4
1992 2.2
1993 2.1
1994 2.5
1995 2.3
1996 2.2
1997 2.0
1998 1.9
1999 1.6
2000 1.5
2001 1.3
2002 1.2
2003 1.1
2004 5.5
2005 5.5
2006 4.9
2007 4.8
2008 4.4
2009 3.9
2010 3.8
2011 3.8
2012 3.7
2013 3.6
2014 3.5

* The sample included salaried (nonhourly), full-time workers who are 18 years or older. It excluded teachers (pre-K through college) and religious workers, who are automatically exempt from overtime protections.

Note: The nominal threshold was set at $250 per week from 1975 until 2004 when it was increased to $455 per week. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, all salaried workers under the threshold must receive overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week.

Source: Adapted from Figure A in Ross Eisenbrey, Raising the overtime salary threshold is an important improvement in working families’ labor standards, Economic Policy Institute Testimony, October 5, 2015

View the underlying data on epi.org.