Quick Answer
A 9/80 schedule involves working eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day over two weeks (80 total hours), giving you every other Friday off. You typically earn no overtime since you work exactly 40 hours each week, but daily overtime rules in states like California still apply to your 9-hour days.
Best Answer
Marcus Rivera, Compensation & Benefits Analyst
Best for employees working or considering a 9/80 schedule
How does a 9/80 schedule work?
A 9/80 schedule spreads 80 hours of work over nine days across two work weeks, giving you every other Friday off. Here's the typical pattern:
Week 1: Monday-Thursday (9 hours each) + Friday (8 hours) = 44 hours
Week 2: Monday-Thursday (9 hours each) + Friday off = 36 hours
Total: 80 hours over 2 weeks = 40 hours average per week
Federal overtime implications
Under federal law (Fair Labor Standards Act), overtime is calculated weekly. Here's where 9/80 gets tricky:
Example with $75,000 salary ($36.06/hour):
State daily overtime complications
California and Alaska require overtime after 8 hours in a day, significantly increasing your overtime pay:
California example ($75,000 salary):
The Friday split method
Many companies use a "split Friday" to avoid the Week 1 overtime:
This keeps each "work week" at exactly 40 hours, avoiding federal overtime. However, you still get daily overtime in CA/AK for the 9-hour days.
Comparison of different 9/80 implementations
Key factors that affect your overtime
Benefits beyond overtime pay
Schedule advantages:
Financial considerations:
What you should do
Before accepting a 9/80 schedule:
1. Confirm the implementation method — traditional vs. split Friday
2. Research your state's daily overtime laws
3. Get the overtime policy in writing from HR
4. Calculate your potential overtime earnings using our paycheck calculator
5. Consider your personal energy levels — can you sustain 9-hour days?
Use our job offer comparison tool to model the financial impact of different schedule options.
Key takeaway: 9/80 schedules typically generate 4 hours of federal overtime every two weeks ($1,898 annually for a $75,000 salary), plus much more in states with daily overtime laws — potentially $36,000+ extra in California.
*Sources: [U.S. Department of Labor FLSA guidance](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa), [California Labor Code Section 510](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=510&lawCode=LAB)*
Key Takeaway: 9/80 schedules typically generate 4 hours of federal overtime biweekly, worth about $1,898 annually for a $75,000 salary, with much higher earnings in daily overtime states.
Overtime implications of different 9/80 implementations
| Implementation | Week 1 Hours | Week 2 Hours | Federal OT Hours | Annual OT Pay ($75K salary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional 9/80 | 44 | 36 | 4 per 2 weeks | $1,898 |
| Split Friday 9/80 | 40 | 40 | 0 | $0 |
| CA Traditional 9/80 | 44 | 36 | 20 per 2 weeks | $36,000+ |
| Standard 5x8 | 40 | 40 | 0 | $0 |
More Perspectives
Marcus Rivera, Compensation & Benefits Analyst
Best for new employees trying to understand complex schedule options
9/80 schedules for new employees: what you need to know
As someone new to the workforce, a 9/80 schedule might seem confusing — and it is! Even HR departments sometimes get the overtime calculations wrong.
The simple version
Think of 9/80 like this: you work a little extra Monday-Thursday to "buy" yourself every other Friday off. In most cases, this means you'll earn some overtime pay as a bonus.
Questions to ask during interviews
If a company mentions 9/80, ask these specific questions:
1. "How do you handle the overtime in Week 1?" (Many companies don't realize they owe overtime)
2. "Do you use split Friday or full Friday off?"
3. "What happens to my overtime if there's a holiday?"
4. "Can I see an example pay stub from someone on this schedule?"
5. "Is this schedule optional or required for my role?"
Red flags to watch for
Some companies try to avoid paying the legitimate overtime from 9/80 schedules:
Managing your energy and productivity
9-hour days require good time management:
Building your career with extra Fridays
Every other Friday off can be valuable for:
Key takeaway: 9/80 schedules can provide great work-life balance and overtime pay for new employees, but make sure your employer properly calculates and pays the required overtime.
Key Takeaway: 9/80 schedules offer new employees extra time off plus overtime pay, but ensure your employer understands and pays the required federal overtime.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor FLSA — Federal overtime and work week regulations
- California Labor Code Section 510 — California daily overtime requirements
Related Questions
Reviewed by Marcus Rivera, Compensation & Benefits Analyst on February 28, 2026
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.