Holiday Pay Calculator
Federal law doesn't require holiday pay — but many employers pay time-and-a-half. See exactly what you'd earn working each 2026 federal holiday.
Your holiday pay
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 | $300.00 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 2026-01-19 | $300.00 |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 2026-02-16 | $300.00 |
| Memorial Day | 2026-05-25 | $300.00 |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | 2026-06-19 | $300.00 |
| Independence Day | 2026-07-04 | $300.00 |
| Labor Day | 2026-09-07 | $300.00 |
| Columbus Day | 2026-10-12 | $300.00 |
| Veterans Day | 2026-11-11 | $300.00 |
| Thanksgiving Day | 2026-11-26 | $300.00 |
| Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 | $300.00 |
Remember: federal law does not require holiday premium pay — this shows what you earn if your employer offers it. Holiday hours worked generally do not count toward the 40-hour overtime threshold. Dates: OPM federal holidays ↗
How holiday pay works
The legal reality
No federal law requires private employers to pay extra for holiday work. The FLSA is silent on holidays. Holiday pay comes from:
- Company policy (most common — often 1.5x)
- Union / collective bargaining agreements
- State law (rare — e.g., Massachusetts and Rhode Island have premium-pay rules for certain retail work)
The calculation
Holiday pay = holiday hours worked × hourly rate × holiday multiplier
(typically 1.5x; some employers pay 2x)
2026 federal holidays
New Year's Day · MLK Jr. Day · Presidents Day · Memorial Day · Juneteenth · Independence Day · Labor Day · Columbus Day · Veterans Day · Thanksgiving · Christmas.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, federal employees observe it on the nearest weekday — private employers follow their own policy. OPM 2026 holidays
2026 federal holidays
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 | 2027-01-01 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 2026-01-19 | 2027-01-18 |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 2026-02-16 | 2027-02-15 |
| Memorial Day | 2026-05-25 | 2027-05-31 |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | 2026-06-19 | 2027-06-19 |
| Independence Day | 2026-07-04 | 2027-07-04 |
| Labor Day | 2026-09-07 | 2027-09-06 |
| Columbus Day | 2026-10-12 | 2027-10-11 |
| Veterans Day | 2026-11-11 | 2027-11-11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | 2026-11-26 | 2027-11-25 |
| Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 | 2027-12-25 |
Holiday pay FAQs
Is holiday pay required by law?
No — not under federal law for private-sector employees. It's set by employer policy or contract.
What's the typical holiday pay rate?
Time-and-a-half (1.5x) is the most common. Some employers pay double time (2x), especially for Christmas/Thanksgiving.
Do I get paid if I don't work the holiday?
Only if your employer offers paid holidays — there's no federal requirement for that either.
Does holiday pay count toward overtime?
Generally no — only hours actually worked count toward the 40-hour overtime threshold under the FLSA. Holiday premium pay is separate.
What are the 2026 federal holidays?
11 in total, from New Year's Day (Jan 1) to Christmas (Dec 25), including Juneteenth (Jun 19). See the table above for exact dates.
Estimates only — not tax or legal advice. Verify with your employer or a tax professional.