California · organized camp counselor overtime
California camp counselor overtime (after 54)
For organized camp counselors, IWC Wage Order 5 § 3(E) pays 1.5× after 54 hours in a workweek and for hours on workdays beyond six — no daily overtime. Labor Code § 1182.4 lets a weekly salary ≥ 85% of MW × 40 (2026 floor $574.60 at $16.90) opt out of IWC OT. Not LC 510, not personal attendant, not residential care, not MO amusement 52.
How WO 5 § 3(E) + § 1182.4 pay
Wage Order 5 § 3(E) says Section 3 (Hours and Days of Work) does not apply to organized camp counselors who are not employed more than 54 hours and not more than six days in any workweek. In an emergency they may be employed in excess of 54 hours or six days, provided they are compensated at not less than one and one-half times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 54 hours and six days. The DIR DLSE overtime-exceptions FAQ summarizes the same band: weekly overtime after 54 hours or more than six days; no daily overtime.
Labor Code § 1182.4(a) is a separate opt-out: a student employee, camp counselor, or program counselor of an organized camp (Health & Safety Code § 18897 + American Camping Association standards) who receives a weekly salary of at least 85 percent of the minimum wage for a 40-hour week is not subject to an IWC minimum-wage or maximum-hour order, regardless of hours worked that week. At the 2026 statewide minimum wage of $16.90 (DIR MW-2026), that floor is $574.60 per week. If the counselor works under 40 hours, pay at least 85% of the hourly MW for each hour. Meals and lodging may be deducted under appropriate IWC orders (§ 1182.4(b)).
Five 10h days @ $20 → $1,000 (50 regular — under 54).
Six 10h days @ $20 → 54 regular + 6 OT = $1,260.
Same punches on /california-overtime/ (LC 510) → heavy daily OT after 8 each day.
Seven 8h days @ $20 → 48 regular + 8 OT on the 7th workday = $1,200.
Six 10h days with LC 1182.4 salary ≥ $574.60 → $1,200 all straight time under IWC.
Six 9h days @ $20 → $1,080 all regular here; /missouri-amusement-overtime/ after-52 would OT 2 hours.
Sources
- 8 CCR § 11050 — IWC Wage Order 5 (official DIR HTML; § 3(E) camp counselors)
- IWC Wage Order 5 PDF (DIR)
- Cal. Lab. Code § 1182.4 — organized camp counselor salary / MW opt-out
- DIR DLSE — Exceptions to the general overtime law (camp counselors row)
- DIR MW-2026 — statewide minimum wage $16.90 effective 1 Jan 2026
FAQ
When does California camp counselor overtime start under Wage Order 5 § 3(E)?
No daily OT. Weekly OT after 54 hours, and OT for hours on workdays beyond six. Excess over those limits is authorized in an emergency and paid at 1.5× (DLSE FAQ).
What is Labor Code § 1182.4?
Weekly salary ≥ 85% of MW for a 40-hour week removes the counselor from IWC minimum-wage and maximum-hour orders. 2026 statewide floor: $574.60/week at $16.90/h. Toggle the exemption on this page to compare.
Is this the same as Labor Code § 510 overtime?
No. /california-overtime/ is LC 510 8/12/7th/40. Camp counselors use after-54 / six-day bands with no daily OT.
Is this personal attendant or residential-care overtime?
No. Those are § 1454 9/45 and WO 5 § 3(A)(2) 40/48/16. This page is § 3(E) camp counselors.
Is this Missouri amusement overtime after 52?
No. /missouri-amusement-overtime/ is Missouri after-52 for seasonal amusement. This is California camp after-54 plus § 1182.4.
Who is covered?
Organized camp counselors (and § 1182.4 student/program counselors). Kitchen/maintenance/admin stay on ordinary WO 5 / LC 510. FLSA 13(a)(3) and sleep-time issues are out of punch scope.