How many hours does a salary employee work?

The Fair Labor Standards Act defines the work week as a consecutive seven-day period, and within that work week, around 35 to 40 hours is the norm for a full-time salary basis. When it comes to salaried employees, there are generally two categories: exempt and non-exempt.

Exempt employees have a salary that is at least $35,658 annually and belong to industries like science, technology, engineering, and math. Professional employees with administrative, outside sales, and executive jobs may also be considered exempt. These employees are exempt from overtime compensation.

Non-exempt employees can still qualify for overtime pay if they earn less than $35,658 annually. These are typically blue-collar positions like mechanics, electricians, and construction workers.

The goal for salaried workers is to have a sustainable and enjoyable work environment. This means being able to complete the required work in no more than 45 hours per week. If the job takes 50 or 60 hours each week to complete, the position is poorly designed and needs to be reconsidered (or additional help needs to be hired).