Exempt Salary Threshold Checker (2026)

The exempt salary checker shows the minimum salary an employer must pay to classify a salaried employee as exempt from overtime in the US. It compares federal and state floors for each location where the employee works.

Check a salary against the exemption floor

Figures checked 5 November 2026 against the US Department of Labor and state labor departments. This checks the salary test only, not the duties test, and is not legal advice.

How the checker works

Enter the employee's work state and salary to see whether the pay meets the overtime exemption threshold. The checker compares the federal floor of $684 a week and any higher state floor. It does not assess job duties, which remain your responsibility. To classify an employee as exempt, the role must also meet the executive, administrative or professional duties test under federal and state law. Teachers, practising doctors and lawyers, and outside sales have no federal salary test. Computer professionals can be paid hourly at $27.63 or more.

Six states set a salary floor above the federal amount. Washington has the highest floor at $80,168 a year; California follows at $70,304. New York applies one figure in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and a lower figure elsewhere, for executive and administrative roles only. When you hire salaried staff in these states, compare the state figure with the federal $684 a week and pay the higher amount. Remote employees are covered by the state where they work, so a team spread across states can face several different floors. Pay transparency laws often reveal whether a posted range meets the state floor.

Exempt salary thresholds by state

Jurisdiction Now (November 2026) From 1 January 2027 Applies to
Federal (all states) $684.00 a week ($35,568) Same All three white-collar exemptions
Washington $1,541.70 a week ($80,168) $1,773.00 ($92,196) at 51+ staff; $1,595.70 ($82,976) at 1 to 50 staff All, including salaried computer professionals
California $1,352.00 a week ($70,304) $1,392.00 a week ($72,384) Executive, administrative, professional
New York, NYC, Long Island, Westchester $1,275.00 a week ($66,300) Same Executive and administrative only
New York, rest of state $1,199.10 a week ($62,353) Same Executive and administrative only
Colorado $1,111.23 a week ($57,784) $1,151.23 a week ($59,864), proposed Executive, administrative, professional
Alaska $1,120.00 a week ($58,240) since 1 July 2026 Same, then $1,200.00 ($62,400) from 1 July 2027 Executive, administrative, professional
Maine Above $45,300 a year Above $47,100 a year Executive, administrative, professional

Special categories

Category Minimum
Federal computer employees $684.00 a week salary, or $27.63 an hour
Federal highly compensated employees $107,432 total pay a year, with at least $684.00 a week as salary
California computer software professionals $58.85 an hour or $122,573.13 a year in 2026; $61.03 or $127,108.34 in 2027
Washington computer professionals paid hourly $59.96 an hour in 2026; $62.06 in 2027

Every other state follows the federal floor. Last checked 5 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

More hiring guides and tools

Sources

Questions employers ask

What is the federal minimum salary for overtime exemption?

The federal floor is $684 a week, which equals $35,568 a year. An employer must pay at least this amount to treat a salaried employee as exempt under the executive, administrative or professional exemptions. The employee must also meet the relevant job duties test. A higher state floor applies if the employee works in a state that sets one.

Which states have a higher exempt salary threshold?

Six states set a floor above the federal amount: Washington, California, New York, Colorado, Alaska and Maine. Washington has the highest at $80,168 a year in 2026, while California is $70,304. New York has two levels depending on location and applies only to executive and administrative roles. Always pay the higher of state and federal.

How does remote work affect the exempt salary threshold?

Remote employees are covered by the state where they work. You must meet the state floor for that location, even if your office is elsewhere. If the employee works in Washington, for example, the Washington figure applies. The higher of the state and federal minimum always governs. Check each remote worker's state separately.

Are there employees with no salary test?

Yes. Federal law has no salary test for teachers, practising doctors and lawyers, or outside sales employees. These workers may be exempt from overtime based on their duties alone, though some states set their own rules for them. For all other exempt salaried roles, you must satisfy both the salary threshold and the job duties test under the applicable federal or state rules.

What happens if I misclassify an employee as exempt?

Misclassifying an employee as exempt means owing back overtime. If a court or agency finds the salary or duties test was not met, you may have to pay unpaid overtime wages, plus possible damages or penalties. Review each role's salary and duties against the current federal and state floors before classifying anyone as exempt.

Do computer professionals have a different salary rule?

Computer professionals can be paid hourly under federal law at $27.63 an hour or more and still be exempt from overtime. California and Washington set much higher computer professional minimums. Check the state where the employee works, because those state figures override the federal hourly rate when higher.

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