48/96 Schedule Pay Calculator

An essential tool for firefighters and emergency personnel to accurately estimate earnings based on the unique 48/96 work cycle.

Calculate Your Pay

What is the 48/96 Schedule?

The 48/96 schedule pay calculator is a specialized tool for personnel on a 48/96 shift pattern. This schedule, common among fire departments and some EMS agencies, involves working two consecutive 24-hour shifts (48 hours on duty) followed by four consecutive days off (96 hours off duty). This cycle repeats every six days. While it offers extended blocks of time off, it creates a non-standard work week that complicates pay calculations, especially concerning overtime. On average, an employee on this schedule works 56 hours per week, far exceeding the typical 40-hour threshold.

The 48/96 Schedule Pay Formula and Explanation

Calculating pay for a 48/96 schedule isn’t as simple as multiplying hours by rate due to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Specifically, section 7(k) of the FLSA provides a partial overtime exemption for fire protection and law enforcement employees. Instead of a 40-hour week, it allows agencies to adopt a “work period” of 7 to 28 consecutive days and establishes higher thresholds for when overtime pay is required. The most common work period is 28 days, where overtime is paid for hours worked over 212.

The total hours worked in a 28-day period on a 48/96 schedule is consistently 224 hours. This is calculated because a full 48/96 cycle is 6 days. In a 28-day period, there are approximately 4.67 cycles (28 / 6), and in each cycle, 48 hours are worked (4.67 * 48 ≈ 224 hours).

The formulas used by the calculator are:

1. Total Hours = (Days in FLSA Period / 6) * 48
2. Overtime Hours = Total Hours – FLSA Regular Hour Threshold
3. Regular Pay = FLSA Regular Hour Threshold * Hourly Rate
4. Overtime Pay = Overtime Hours * (Hourly Rate * Overtime Multiplier)
5. Total Gross Pay = Regular Pay + Overtime Pay

Variable Explanations for a 28-Day FLSA Period

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Value
Hourly Rate	Base pay per hour.	USD ($)	$20 – $40
FLSA Period	The work period adopted by the agency.	Days	7, 14, 24, 27, 28
Total Hours Worked	Scheduled hours within the FLSA period.	Hours	224 (for 28 days)
FLSA Threshold	Maximum regular hours before OT is paid.	Hours	212 (for 28 days)
Overtime Hours	Hours worked beyond the FLSA threshold.	Hours	12 (for 28 days)

Practical Examples

Example 1: Standard Calculation

A firefighter has a base hourly rate of $28.00 and their department uses a standard 28-day FLSA work period. The overtime multiplier is 1.5x.

• Inputs:
  • Hourly Rate: $28.00
  • FLSA Period: 28 Days (212-hour threshold)
  • Overtime Multiplier: 1.5
• Calculation:
  • Total Hours in Period: 224
  • Regular Hours: 212
  • Overtime Hours: 12 (224 – 212)
  • Regular Pay: 212 hours * $28.00 = $5,936.00
  • Overtime Pay: 12 hours * ($28.00 * 1.5) = $504.00
• Result:
  • Total Gross Pay: $6,440.00

Example 2: Shorter Work Period

Another firefighter earns $32.00 per hour, but their department uses a 14-day FLSA period, which has a 106-hour threshold for overtime.

• Inputs:
  • Hourly Rate: $32.00
  • FLSA Period: 14 Days (106-hour threshold)
  • Overtime Multiplier: 1.5
• Calculation:
  • Total Hours in Period: 112 ( (14/6) * 48 )
  • Regular Hours: 106
  • Overtime Hours: 6 (112 – 106)
  • Regular Pay: 106 hours * $32.00 = $3,392.00
  • Overtime Pay: 6 hours * ($32.00 * 1.5) = $288.00
• Result:
  • Total Gross Pay: $3,680.00

How to Use This 48/96 Schedule Pay Calculator

Using this calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get an accurate estimate of your earnings per pay period.

1. Enter Hourly Pay Rate: Input your standard, pre-tax hourly wage. Do not include benefits or other compensation here.
2. Set Overtime Multiplier: This is typically 1.5 for “time and a half.” Confirm with your department’s policy and adjust if necessary.
3. Select FLSA Work Period: This is the most critical step. Choose the work period your department uses to comply with FLSA section 7(k). If you are unsure, 28 days is the most common for agencies using a 48/96 schedule.
4. Calculate and Interpret: Click the “Calculate” button. The tool will display your total gross pay for the selected period, along with a breakdown of regular vs. overtime hours and pay. The chart provides a quick visual reference for how much of your income comes from scheduled overtime.

Key Factors That Affect 48/96 Schedule Pay

Several factors beyond your base rate can influence your total compensation on a 48/96 schedule. This 48/96 schedule pay calculator provides a baseline, but you should also consider:

• Union Contracts: Collective bargaining agreements can stipulate different overtime multipliers, define work periods, or guarantee minimum staffing levels that lead to additional overtime opportunities.
• State and Local Laws: Some states or municipalities have their own wage and hour laws that may be more generous than the federal FLSA requirements.
• Specialty Pay: Certifications such as paramedic, hazardous materials technician, or technical rescue specialist often come with an hourly stipend or a flat-rate bonus not covered in this base pay calculator.
• Kelly Days: Some departments use “Kelly Days” or similar mechanisms to reduce the average workweek and manage overtime costs. These are scheduled days off that reduce total work hours over a year.
• Call-backs and Unscheduled Overtime: Getting called back to duty on an off day or holding over past the end of a shift will result in additional overtime pay not factored into this calculator’s scheduled pay projection.
• Holiday Pay: Work performed on designated holidays may be paid at a premium rate (e.g., 2x or 2.5x), which can significantly increase earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a week is a 48/96 schedule?

A 48/96 schedule averages 56 hours per week. This is calculated by taking the total hours in the 6-day cycle (48 hours on, 96 hours off = 144 total hours) and determining the weekly portion of work: (48 work hours / 144 total hours) * 168 hours in a week = 56 hours.

Is all work over 40 hours considered overtime on this schedule?

No. Due to the FLSA 7(k) exemption for firefighters, overtime is calculated based on longer work periods (e.g., 212 hours in 28 days) rather than a standard 40-hour week. This is a critical distinction that our 48/96 schedule pay calculator handles automatically.

Why does my department use a 27-day or 18-day cycle?

Departments can choose any FLSA work period between 7 and 28 days. The choice often depends on pay-period alignment and collective bargaining. The overtime thresholds are prorated accordingly. For example, an 18-day period has a threshold of 136 hours.

Does this calculator figure in taxes or deductions?

No, this tool calculates your gross pay before taxes, insurance, union dues, or other deductions. It is intended to help you understand your pre-tax earnings based on the schedule’s unique structure.

What are “Kelly Days”?

A “Kelly Day” is a mechanism used by some departments to reduce the average weekly hours to avoid excessive overtime. It’s a scheduled day off given periodically to bring an employee’s hours closer to a target, like 53 or 48 hours per week, over the course of a year.

How many days off do you get on a 48/96 schedule?

You get four consecutive days (96 hours) off after every two consecutive shifts (48 hours). This results in approximately 20 days off per month, including many full weekends.

Can I use this calculator if I’m not a firefighter?

You can, provided your employer uses a 48/96 schedule and adheres to the same FLSA 7(k) work period rules. This is most common for public safety roles like EMS and some law enforcement.

Where does the 224 total work hours in 28 days come from?

The 48/96 schedule is a 6-day cycle (2 days on, 4 days off). In a 28-day period, there are 4 and 2/3 cycles (28 divided by 6). To find the total hours worked, you multiply the number of cycles by the hours worked per cycle: (28/6) * 48 = 224 hours.