What is a salaried employee?

A salaried employee is a type of worker who receives a fixed amount of compensation for their services, usually on a monthly or annual basis. This differs from an hourly employee, who is paid based on the number of hours they work.

Salaried employees are typically considered full-time and may be classified as exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They also often receive additional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

A salaried employee usually implies a higher level of responsibility and seniority within a company. These employees may hold managerial or executive positions, typically work longer hours, and often must make themselves available outside of normal working hours.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a salaried employee?

If you’re considering becoming a salaried employee or are already one, it’s essential to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this type of employment, such as

• Salaried employees receive a fixed amount of compensation

• Payment is usually monthly or annual
• Different from hourly employees who are paid based on hours worked
• Considered full-time and exempt from overtime pay under FLSA
• May receive additional benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans
• Typically hold higher level positions with more responsibility
• Expected to work longer hours and be available outside of regular working hours
• Offers stability and security but may not receive additional compensation for overtime or holiday work.

Choosing to be a salaried employee provides a sense of stability and security. Unlike hourly employees, your pay is not affected by fluctuations in the number of hours worked. However, it’s important to note that you may not receive additional compensation for working overtime or on holidays.

How many hours do most salaried employees work?

Many individuals view a standard workweek as encompassing roughly 40 hours, so salaried workers don’t frequently surpass 45-50 hours weekly. Should a position consistently demand over 50 hours of work per week, it likely indicates a flawed role design. Tasks, responsibilities, and duties might be accomplished more efficiently if distributed across multiple positions. 

For instance, if a salaried manager regularly handles basic administrative tasks, these duties could be delegated to an available assistant capable of managing additional responsibilities.

What is the difference between salaried and hourly employees?

The difference between salaried and hourly employees lies in how they are compensated for their work and the benefits and protections they receive:

	Salaried Employees	Hourly Employees
Compensation	Receive a fixed amount of pay on a regular basis, typically weekly, biweekly, or monthly, regardless of the number of hours worked.	Paid based on the number of hours worked, typically at an agreed-upon hourly rate.
Pay Structure	Paid based on an annual salary, which is divided into equal installments over the pay period.	Receive payment for each hour worked, with their total pay varying based on the number of hours worked in a pay period.
Overtime	May be exempt from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if they meet certain criteria, such as being classified as exempt employees and earning above a specified salary threshold.	Generally eligible for overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 hours in a workweek, as mandated by the FLSA.
Benefits	Often receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other perks as part of their compensation package.	May receive benefits such as health insurance and paid time off, but these benefits may vary depending on the employer and the terms of employment.
Job Roles	Typically include professional, managerial, administrative, or executive roles with higher levels of responsibility.	Often include roles such as customer service representatives, retail workers, hospitality staff, and other positions that involve hourly wage-based compensation.