Do You Get Overtime Pay on Thanksgiving? Get It Faster With EarnIn

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and giving thanks — but for millions of Americans, it's also a workday. If you're in retail, healthcare, food service, or transportation, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shifts of the year. So, you're likely wondering: Do I get extra pay for working on a holiday?

This guide will break down the rules of overtime pay on Thanksgiving, the key difference between overtime pay and holiday premium pay, and what you need to know about how the holiday might affect your paycheck timing.

You'll also learn how an on-demand pay app like EarnIn can help eligible users access their hard-earned wages when traditional payroll schedules are delayed.

How overtime pay works in the U.S.

Before we dive into holiday pay, it’s important to understand the basics of federal overtime law. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the federal law that governs overtime in the U.S. Under the FLSA, eligible, non-exempt employees must be paid overtime at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular pay rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

A key point here is that overtime is based on the workweek — not on a daily or holiday basis. So, if you work a standard 40-hour week and then pick up an extra eight hours on Thanksgiving, those hours are considered overtime. However, the FLSA does not require employers to pay extra for working on a holiday itself — that’s a separate issue. The holiday isn’t what triggers the overtime; it’s the total hours worked in that week.

This is where things can get a little confusing. It's easy to mix up overtime pay with holiday premium pay.

Overtime pay is a federal mandate for working a high number of hours.
Holiday premium pay is a company or state-specific benefit for working on a designated holiday.

Thanksgiving holiday pay – federal vs. state rules

The U.S. federal government does not require employers to give you extra pay for working on Thanksgiving. Your eligibility for additional compensation depends entirely on your employer’s policy, your employment contract, or state laws.

For example, a few states have specific laws that may require holiday pay. Massachusetts is famous for its "Blue Laws." They require certain retail businesses to pay a premium to employees who work on legal holidays. However, these laws are an exception, not the rule. Most states, including California and New York, don't have laws that force private employers to pay extra for holiday work. Instead, it’s up to the employer.

This is why a friend in one state might get double pay while you get a regular wage for the same holiday work. Your best bet is to check with your employer or consult your state’s labor department website for more information.

Employer policy differences

While federal law may not require it, many companies choose to offer holiday pay as an employee benefit. This is usually outlined in the employee handbook, a collective bargaining agreement (for union workers), or your individual employment contract.

Major retailers, grocery chains, and hospitals, in particular, often offer premium pay — such as time-and-a-half or double time — for those who work on Thanksgiving. For example, some large grocery store chains have a policy of offering enhanced pay for holiday shifts to incentivize employees to work. However, these policies can change, so it's essential to confirm the details with your HR department.

The bottom line is that your eligibility for enhanced holiday pay is most likely determined by your employer or a union agreement — not a federal law.

How Thanksgiving affects your paycheck timing

Beyond the question of extra pay, there's the matter of when you’ll actually get paid. Thanksgiving is a federal holiday. That means most banks and financial institutions are closed that day. For many employees, this can cause a headache with paycheck timing.

If your usual payday falls on a Thursday or Friday, your employer may shift the payroll schedule to ensure you get your money on Wednesday. This is often the case for those with direct deposit. However, this isn't a guarantee.

If your payroll department doesn’t adjust the schedule, your paycheck could be delayed until Friday or the following Monday. This can be inconvenient if you’re relying on that money for holiday travel, groceries, or other expenses. If you receive a paper check, you may also face postal delays.

Using an on-demand pay app for faster access

An on-demand pay app like EarnIn, also referred to as an earned wage access (EWA) app, can be a game-changer in this type of situation. This financial tool allows eligible employees to access a portion of their earned wages before their official payday. It's not a loan; it's simply a way to get your money when you need it, rather than waiting for the traditional payroll cycle.

To use a service like EarnIn, you typically need to have a steady job with a consistent direct deposit and a U.S. bank account. The app works by tracking your work hours and allowing you to cash out a portion of the money you've already earned. For someone facing a holiday-related paycheck delay, this service can be a big help, providing fast access to funds for last-minute holiday shopping, travel, or bills. Instead of taking on high-interest debt or a loan, you're just accessing your own money a few days early.

With EarnIn's Cash Out¹ feature, you can get up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays. This standard service may take one to three days for your cash to be delivered. There are no mandatory fees, just an optional tip² if you like the service.

If you need your cash delivered more quickly, try Lightning Speed³, which can send cash in minutes for a small transfer fee (starting at $3.99).

Quick reference: Overtime and holiday pay scenarios

Scenario	Eligible for overtime?	Eligible for holiday pay?	Notes
You work over 40 hours in a workweek, including Thanksgiving.	Yes	Only if company policy says so	Federal law requires overtime for all hours over 40.
You work less than 40 hours in a workweek, but you work on Thanksgiving.	No	Company policy or state law applies	Overtime is for hours over 40; holiday pay is a separate benefit.
You get paid for Thanksgiving but don’t work.	No	Yes (typically a full day's pay)	This is a holiday benefit, not overtime.

Know your rights and plan ahead

The most important step you can take is to be proactive. Before the holiday, check your employee handbook or talk to your HR department to clarify your company’s policy on overtime pay on Thanksgiving.

If you know your paycheck will be delayed, consider your options. Whether you’re working the register, prepping meals, delivering packages, or caring for patients this Thanksgiving, knowing your rights around overtime pay will help you plan smarter.

And if your paycheck is delayed, tools like EarnIn offer a flexible way to access your earnings without the stress of loans or fees.

FAQs

Is there extra pay on Thanksgiving?

Federal law does not require extra pay for working on a holiday. Your eligibility for extra pay depends on your employer's policies or state laws.

Is Thanksgiving time in a half?

It can be. Many companies offer time-and-a-half (1.5 times regular pay) or even double time as a holiday benefit. But this is an employer's choice, not a federal requirement.

How does overtime work if there is a holiday?

Overtime is calculated based on hours worked over 40 in a workweek, as mandated by federal law. Working on a holiday does not automatically mean you get overtime, but those hours will count toward your weekly total.

Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.

This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.

EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our bank partners on certain products other than Cash Out.

¹
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out Maxes section of our Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out.

EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply; see the Lightning Speed Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.

²
Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren’t affected by whether you tip or not.

³
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available in all states and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.