Nurse PayNight Shift Differential Calculator
See what night differential adds to your shift — for the whole shift, or only the hours inside your employer's night window, like 11 PM to 7 AM.
Your estimated night shift pay
$590
- 11.5
- paid hours
- $51.33/hr
- effective rate
Breakdown
- Base pay11.5 h × $48.00
- $552.00
- Night7.67 h × $5.00
- $38.33
- Estimated gross pay
- $590.33
How this was calculated
Paid time
12h worked − 30m unpaid break = 11.5 h
Hours
11.5 h regular · 0 h overtime · 0 h double time
Rounding
Each line is rounded to the cent, then summed, so the breakdown always adds up.
Your estimated pay: $590. Get this in seconds after every shift.
Nurse Pay for iPhone keeps your rate, differentials and overtime rules, so each shift is a tap. Nurse Pay Pro adds pay-period totals and job-offer comparison.
Download on theApp StoreWorked example: night differential for part of the shift
A $48/hour nurse works 7 PM–7 AM with a 30-minute unpaid break. The $6/hour night differential applies only from 11 PM to 7 AM — 8 of the 12 hours. Because the break isn't tied to a time, it's spread evenly, so 7.67 of the paid hours earn the differential.
Night differential 11 PM – 7 AM on a 7P–7A shift
- Base pay11.5 h × $48.00
- $552.00
- Night7.67 h × $6.00
- $46.00
- Estimated gross pay
- $598.00
How night differential is calculated
- Find the hours of the shift inside the night window. A window can cross midnight.
- If there's an unpaid break, reduce those hours in proportion: window hours × paid hours ÷ shift hours.
- Multiply by the differential: dollars per hour, or a percentage of your base rate.
If your employer pays night differential for the entire shift once you work nights, turn "Only during certain hours" off. For weekend, charge and other differentials, use the shift differential calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- Night windows and qualifying rules differ between employers. Check your policy for the hours and whether a minimum number of night hours is needed.
- Clock times are on an ordinary day; on daylight-saving nights an overnight shift is really an hour shorter or longer.
Common night shift setups
- 7P–7A, whole shift
- Window off. Every paid hour earns the night rate.
- 7P–7A, nights 11 PM–7 AM
- Window 11:00 PM → 7:00 AM. Eight of twelve hours qualify, less a share of any unpaid break.
- 3P–11P evening shift
- If evenings have their own differential, add it as a custom differential with a 3 PM–11 PM window.
- Weekend night
- Turn on both night and weekend. They stack.
Frequently asked questions
Do nurses get paid more for night shift?
Most hospitals pay a night differential, as a flat amount per hour or a percentage of base. It's set by your employer or contract, not by law in most places.
Does night differential apply during my break?
Not to an unpaid break. Nurse Pay deducts unpaid breaks from night hours proportionally, because the break time isn't recorded.
Does night differential increase overtime pay?
It can. With "Include differentials in the overtime rate" on, hourly differentials raise the rate overtime premiums are paid on.
Related calculators and guides
- Shift Differential CalculatorStack night, weekend, charge, preceptor and custom differentials.
- Shift Differentials ExplainedFlat, percentage and per-shift differentials, and how they stack.
- 12-Hour Shift Pay CalculatorOne 12, and what three 12s a week add up to.
- Nurse Pay CalculatorEverything for one shift: base pay, differentials, overtime and holiday pay.
Nurse Pay for iPhone
Night shift pay, worked out before you clock in.
- Save your night window once; Nurse Pay counts the hours inside it.
- Overnight shifts, unpaid breaks and weekend nights handled.
- Every line explained, so you can check your pay stub.
Nurse Pay provides estimates based on the compensation information and rules you enter. Actual payroll, overtime, differentials, employer policies, taxes, deductions, and applicable laws may vary.