Exempt vs Non-Exempt Employees – Know the Difference and More!

In a workplace, there exist two types of employees: exempt and non-exempt. They are classified as either exempt or non-exempt based on the type of work they perform and the salary/wages they earn.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to classify every job as exempt or non-exempt from overtime pay and/or minimum wage.

Read our guide to know more about what is exempt vs non-exempt employees and the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees.

What is an exempt employee?

An exempt employee is a salaried employee who is exempt from ‘minimum wage and/or overtime pay, regardless of the hours they put in extra per week or per day. The exempt employees receive the same amount of pay per pay period, even if they put in extra hours for work.

What Qualifies As an Exempt Employee?

Typically, for employees to qualify as exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay, they need to meet these three tests:

1. Job Duties. Employees need to exercise independent judgment and discretion while performing their job responsibilities.
2. Salary Level. An exempt employee is paid a salary that meets the minimum threshold under the FLSA.
3. Salary Basis. Employees’ salary isn’t reduced based on the quality or quantity of their work.

Note: Some states have different requirements than those specified under the FLSA. Be sure to check applicable state law for each of the tests above.

What Are the Types of Exempt Employees?

The FLSA recognizes the following main categories of exempt workers:

• Outside Sales
• Executive
• Administrative
• Professional
• Computer

As of January 1, 2020, the FLSA stipulates that employees in the above categories are exempt if they are paid by salary as opposed to hourly and if they earn a minimum of $684 per week or $35,568 annually. This is an increase from $455 per week or $23,660 annually.

What is a Non-Exempt Employee?

A non-exempt employee must receive at least the minimum wage for all hours worked and is eligible for paid overtime for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.

Typically, non-exempt employees are paid on an hourly basis, but employers can decide to pay them on a salary basis and also pay for the applicable overtime.

Under federal law, a non-exempt employee who works for more than 40 hours in a workweek must be paid for the overtime at 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay. For example, if an employee worked 55 hours in a workweek, they would be paid their regular rate of pay for 40 hours (federal minimum wage is $7.25 in 2021), plus an additional 15 hours at the overtime rate (1.5 times the employee’s regular rate).

What Is the Difference Between Exempt and Non-Exempt Employees?

Exempt employees are paid a salary rather than an hourly rate. They are not eligible for overtime compensation and are not entitled to it. Non-exempt employees, on the other hand, are paid on an hourly basis. Non-exempt employees must be paid at least the state or federal minimum wage.

Let’s take a look at the table below for better understanding:

Let’s Consider This Example to Demonstrate the Difference:

Jessica is an exempt employee. Her proposal is due on Monday and she is stressed. So, she stays until late in office and spends her Friday night burning the midnight oil, tweaking and finishing up her proposal. On Monday, she receives a paycheck — the same amount of money she would’ve got even if she hadn’t worked overtime.

An exempt employee is not entitled to paid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Meanwhile, James, a non-exempt employee, chooses to take extra shifts and work overtime on Friday to finish up the project. He doesn’t have to, but he knows that if he works overtime, he’ll receive extra money for the extra work hours he has put in.

Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay, 1.5 times their hourly rate, for any hours they work beyond 40 hours per week.