What Is Shift Differential Pay for Nurses?
Published on April 20, 2026
The Basics of Shift Differential
Shift differential is extra pay that nurses receive for working non-traditional hours. This is an incentive provided by hospitals to ensure 24/7 staffing.
Fixed vs Percentage
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/hr).
[Ad Slot: mid-article]
Does it count toward overtime?
Under FLSA rules, shift differentials typically must be included in your regular rate of pay when calculating overtime. Use our Nurse Overtime Calculator to see how this affects your take-home pay.