What are the eight categories of exempt employees?
Rachel Newton
Updated on May 02, 2026
Also know, what qualifies an exempt employee?
Breaking Down Exempt Employee Exempt employees are paid not for hours worked but rather for the work that they performed. For an employee to be considered exempt, they must use discretion and independent judgment, at least 50 percent of the time and must earn more than $455 per week.
Likewise, what is a full time exempt employee? When an employee is considered “exempt,” it means they are excluded from the specific rights created by the FLSA. Typically, an employee who is paid a salary instead of hourly pay will be considered exempt. A full-time exempt employee works at least 40 hours per week.
Then, how do you classify an employee as exempt or nonexempt?
For example, to classify an individual as exempt from overtime requirements in California, employers must pay the worker at least twice the prevailing minimum wage. All other employees would automatically be eligible for overtime regardless of job responsibilities.
How do I know if I am an exempt or non exempt employee?
There are 2 “tests” to determine if an employee is eligible for overtime wages. Employees who meet the thresholds of both the Duties and Salary tests are considered exempt from overtime pay — or salaried. All other employees, with some exceptions listed below, are considered nonexempt, or eligible for overtime wages.