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