📅 June 2026 · 9 min read · Source: hrsd.gov.sa, Saudi Labour Law Article 107

Saudi Arabia Overtime Pay 2026 — How to Calculate Exactly What You're Owed

A plain-language breakdown of Article 107 overtime rules: the 150% rate, how to work out your hourly rate from your monthly salary, step-by-step examples, Ramadan rules, and what to do if your employer refuses to pay.

The short answer: Overtime in Saudi Arabia is paid at 150% of your basic hourly wage. To calculate it, divide your monthly basic salary by 26 days, then by 8 hours, and multiply overtime hours by 1.5. Every calculation you need is in this guide.

What Does Saudi Labour Law Say About Overtime?

Overtime is governed by Articles 98–107 of the Saudi Labour Law. The core rule is straightforward: the normal working day is 8 hours, and the normal working week is 48 hours. Any hours you work beyond these limits are overtime — and must be compensated at 150% of your regular hourly wage.

This is not optional or negotiable. An employment contract cannot legally set the overtime rate below 150%. If your contract says "no overtime pay" or sets overtime at 100%, that clause is void under Saudi law. The statutory minimum of 150% always applies.

⚠️ Watch out: Some employers say overtime is "included in your salary." This is only legally valid if the contract explicitly states how many overtime hours are covered and what the monthly cap is. An open-ended "overtime included" clause is difficult to enforce and you may still be entitled to payment for excess hours.

Normal Working Hours in Saudi Arabia (2026)

Type	Daily Hours	Weekly Hours	Notes
Standard (all employees)	8 hours	48 hours	Article 98
Ramadan (Muslim employees)	6 hours	36 hours	Article 98 — applies during fasting month
Hazardous roles (as designated)	7 hours	42 hours	Ministerial classification
Maximum overtime allowed per day	+3 hours	+12 hours/week	Articles 101–107

Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Your Overtime Pay

There are three steps. Most people get confused at step one — the hourly rate — so go through this carefully with your own salary number.

Step 1 — Find Your Basic Hourly Rate

Saudi Labour Law bases overtime on basic salary only — not total package. Housing and transport allowances are excluded. Use the following formula:

Hourly Rate Formula:
Monthly Basic Salary ÷ 26 (working days) ÷ 8 (hours per day) = Hourly Rate (SAR)

Step 2 — Calculate Your Overtime Rate

Overtime Rate = Hourly Rate × 1.5
(150% of normal hourly rate)

Step 3 — Multiply by Overtime Hours Worked

Total Overtime Pay = Overtime Rate × Number of Overtime Hours

Worked Example 1 — Regular Overtime

Scenario: Ravi earns SAR 6,000 basic salary per month. He works 2 extra hours every day for 10 working days in June.

Step	Calculation	Result
Hourly rate	SAR 6,000 ÷ 26 ÷ 8	SAR 28.85/hr
Overtime rate (150%)	SAR 28.85 × 1.5	SAR 43.27/hr
Total overtime hours	2 hrs × 10 days	20 hours
Total overtime pay owed	SAR 43.27 × 20	SAR 865.40

Worked Example 2 — Higher Salary

Scenario: Fatima earns SAR 12,000 basic salary. She works 3 overtime hours on each of 5 days during a busy project week.

Step	Calculation	Result
Hourly rate	SAR 12,000 ÷ 26 ÷ 8	SAR 57.69/hr
Overtime rate (150%)	SAR 57.69 × 1.5	SAR 86.54/hr
Total overtime hours	3 hrs × 5 days	15 hours
Total overtime pay owed	SAR 86.54 × 15	SAR 1,298.10

Ramadan Overtime — Special Rules

During Ramadan, the working day for Muslim employees is reduced to 6 hours by law. This means the threshold for overtime is lower — any work beyond 6 hours per day counts as overtime and must be compensated at 150%.

For non-Muslim employees, the standard 8-hour rule continues to apply throughout Ramadan. However, many employers apply the shorter hours across the board — check your company policy and your contract.

✅ Ramadan example: If you work 8 hours during Ramadan as a Muslim employee, 2 of those hours are overtime. Calculate your overtime pay on those 2 hours using the same 150% formula above.

Friday and Public Holiday Overtime

Friday is the official weekly rest day in Saudi Arabia. If your employer requires you to work on Friday, you have two options under Article 104:

Option A: Receive a substitute rest day in lieu of the Friday worked.
Option B: Receive Friday overtime pay at 150% for all hours worked.

The employer chooses which option applies, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Public holidays follow similar rules — work during an official public holiday must be compensated at 150% or replaced with a rest day.

Quick Reference — Overtime Rates by Salary

Monthly Basic Salary	Hourly Rate (SAR)	Overtime Rate (SAR/hr)
SAR 3,000	14.42	21.63
SAR 4,000	19.23	28.85
SAR 5,000	24.04	36.06
SAR 6,000	28.85	43.27
SAR 8,000	38.46	57.69
SAR 10,000	48.08	72.12
SAR 12,000	57.69	86.54
SAR 15,000	72.12	108.17

What If Your Employer Refuses to Pay Overtime?

Unpaid overtime is one of the most common labour complaints in Saudi Arabia. If your employer owes you overtime and will not pay, here is what to do:

Gather your evidence first. Collect payslips, work schedule records, attendance logs, and any messages (WhatsApp, email) from your manager asking you to work extra hours. The more evidence, the stronger your case.
Raise it with HR in writing. Send an email or message stating the hours worked and the amount owed. Keep a copy. This creates a formal record before you escalate.
File a complaint on Qiwa. Go to qiwa.sa, log in with your Absher credentials, and submit a labour complaint. Select "wage dispute" as the category. The Ministry of Human Resources mediates the complaint within 21 days.
Escalate to the Labour Court. If the Qiwa mediation does not resolve the dispute, you can escalate your case to the Labour Court through the same Qiwa platform. Labour Court judgements in wage cases are generally fast — typically resolved within 3–6 months.

⚠️ Time limit: Labour claims in Saudi Arabia must be filed within one year of the incident. Do not delay if you believe you are owed unpaid overtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overtime rate in Saudi Arabia? ▼

Under Article 107 of the Saudi Labour Law, overtime is paid at 150% of the employee's basic hourly wage. This means for every overtime hour, you receive your normal hourly rate plus an additional 50%.

How do I calculate my hourly rate in Saudi Arabia? ▼

Divide your monthly basic salary by 26 (working days per month) then divide by 8 (hours per day). For example: SAR 6,000 ÷ 26 ÷ 8 = SAR 28.85 per hour.

How many hours can I work before overtime applies in Saudi Arabia? ▼

Regular working hours in Saudi Arabia are 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. Any hours beyond this threshold are overtime. During Ramadan, Muslim employees work 6 hours per day — anything beyond 6 hours counts as overtime.

Is Friday overtime different in Saudi Arabia? ▼

Friday is the official weekly rest day in Saudi Arabia. If you are required to work on Friday, you must either receive a substitute rest day or be paid overtime at 150% for all hours worked that day.

What can I do if my employer doesn't pay overtime? ▼

You can file a labour complaint on the Qiwa platform (qiwa.sa). Keep records of your work hours, payslips, and any written instructions to work overtime. The Ministry of Human Resources handles complaints within 21 days.

Does overtime apply to all employees in Saudi Arabia? ▼

Yes, overtime rules apply to both Saudi and non-Saudi employees in the private sector. Domestic workers and some agricultural workers have separate regulations under Ministerial decisions.

Can my employer make me work unlimited overtime? ▼

No. The law caps overtime at 3 hours per day and 12 hours per week as a general rule, except in cases of emergency or force majeure. Continuous excessive overtime that endangers health can be grounds for a complaint.

📊 You now know the law — calculate your exact numbers