Quick Answer
REG or REGULAR on your pay stub refers to your normal hourly or salary earnings at your base pay rate. For a $20/hour employee working 40 hours, REG would show $800 (40 hours × $20). This excludes overtime, bonuses, or other special pay types that appear separately.
Best Answer
Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax Analyst
Best for employees trying to understand their earnings breakdown on pay stubs
What does REG or REGULAR mean in the earnings section?
REG or REGULAR on your pay stub represents your base earnings at your normal pay rate during regular working hours. This is your "straight time" pay before any overtime, bonuses, commissions, or other special pay types are added.
For hourly employees, REGULAR pay is calculated as: Hours worked (up to 40) × hourly rate
For salaried employees, REGULAR pay is: Annual salary ÷ number of pay periods
This line item helps separate your base pay from other types of compensation, making it easier to track your core earnings and verify payroll accuracy.
Example: How REGULAR pay appears for different workers
Hourly Employee Example
Jessica earns $22 per hour and worked 38 hours in a week:
Hourly Employee with Overtime
Mark earns $18 per hour and worked 45 hours:
Salaried Employee Example
Sarah earns $65,000 annually, paid biweekly (26 pay periods):
REGULAR pay vs. other earnings types
Why REGULAR pay is separated on your stub
Payroll systems break out REGULAR pay for several important reasons:
Tax calculations: Some taxes and benefits are calculated differently for regular vs. overtime pay
Overtime compliance: Federal law requires overtime pay at 1.5× regular rate for non-exempt employees working over 40 hours
Benefits calculations: Many benefits (like 401k matching) are based on regular earnings, not overtime or bonuses
Record keeping: Makes it easier to track your base earning power and verify your pay rate
What affects your REGULAR pay amount
Several factors can make your REGULAR pay vary from paycheck to paycheck:
What you should do
To verify your REGULAR pay is correct:
1. For hourly workers: Multiply hours worked (up to 40) by your hourly rate
2. For salaried workers: Divide annual salary by number of pay periods per year
3. Check for accuracy: Compare the calculated amount to what appears on your stub
4. Track patterns: Note if REGULAR pay varies unexpectedly from period to period
Use our paycheck calculator to estimate your regular pay and total take-home amount based on your hours and pay rate.
Key takeaway: REG/REGULAR shows your base earnings at your normal pay rate, excluding overtime, bonuses, and other special compensation that appear as separate line items.
*Sources: [Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa), [IRS Publication 15](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf)*
Key Takeaway: REG/REGULAR represents your base pay at normal rates, separate from overtime and bonuses, making it easy to verify your core earnings.
Different types of pay and how they appear on pay stubs
| Pay Type | Rate | When It Applies | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| REG/REGULAR | Base hourly rate or salary | First 40 hours per week | $20/hr × 35 hours = $700 |
| Overtime (OT) | 1.5× base rate | Hours over 40 per week | $20/hr × 1.5 × 5 hours = $150 |
| Double Time (DT) | 2× base rate | Holidays/special circumstances | $20/hr × 2 × 8 hours = $320 |
| Bonus | Varies | Performance, signing, retention | $500 quarterly bonus |
| Commission | % of sales | Sales-based roles | 3% of $10,000 sales = $300 |
More Perspectives
Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax Analyst
Ideal for new workers learning to read their first pay stub
Understanding your first pay stub: What's REGULAR pay?
When you get your first paycheck, you'll see "REG" or "REGULAR" in the earnings section. This is simply your normal pay — the money you earn during regular working hours at your base pay rate.
Simple breakdown for new workers
If you're making $16 per hour and worked 32 hours in your first week:
That's it! REGULAR pay is just your basic earnings before any overtime or special pay.
What REGULAR doesn't include
As a new employee, here's what you WON'T see in your REGULAR pay:
Why this matters for your budget
Your REGULAR pay is the most predictable part of your income. If you work the same hours each week, this number should be consistent, making it easier to budget for rent, groceries, and other expenses.
For example, if you work 25 hours per week at $15/hour:
Questions to ask if something looks wrong
If your REGULAR pay seems off:
Key takeaway: REGULAR pay is your basic hourly rate times hours worked (up to 40 per week). It's the foundation of your paycheck before overtime or bonuses.
*Sources: [Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa)*
Key Takeaway: REGULAR pay is your basic hourly rate times regular hours worked — the foundation of your paycheck that stays consistent.
Sources
- Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act — Federal overtime and wage requirements
- IRS Publication 15 — Employer's Tax Guide including wage classification
Reviewed by Sarah Chen, Payroll Tax 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.