What Is Shift Differential Pay for Nurses?
What Is Shift Differential Pay?
Shift differential is extra pay that nurses receive for working non-traditional hours such as evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Hospitals offer these premiums to ensure 24/7 staffing coverage.
Fixed vs. Percentage Differentials
Differentials usually come in two forms:
- Fixed Amount: A set dollar amount added to your hourly rate (e.g. $5.00/hr for night shift).
- Percentage: A percentage of your base rate (e.g. 10% of $40/hr = $4.00/hr extra).
Does Shift Differential Count Toward Overtime?
Under FLSA rules, shift differentials must be included in your regular rate of pay when calculating overtime. This means your overtime base is higher than just your base hourly rate. Use our Nurse Overtime Calculator to simulate this correctly.
Can You Stack Multiple Differentials?
Many hospitals allow stacking — meaning you earn both night and weekend differential on the same shift. Some policies only pay the highest differential. Check your employment contract or union agreement for your hospital's rule.
Calculate Your Shift Differential Now
Use the Nurse Shift Pay Calculator to enter your base rate, add any active differentials, and instantly see your estimated gross pay breakdown.