How Many Hours Is Full Time?

Working full-time in the U.S. means that you’re averaging at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month for your employer. While these hours can be divided up into different shifts, traditionally, full-time employees work eight-hour shifts over five days, averaging up to 40 hours per week.

When working full-time, your employer may be legally required to provide certain benefits mandated by the country, state, and municipality you work in, and may also offer additional perks. Companies depend on full-time workers to fill long-term and permanent roles. Full-time employees often sign work contracts without set end dates, as the company sees the position being needed indefinitely.

This article explains and clarifies the standards for how many hours a week is full-time and what it means to be a full-time employee or contractor.

Definition of full-time work

The United States has several employment laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA doesn’t define full-time employment, meaning that, for what the FLSA regulates, employers determine what constitutes full-time hours. However, the FLSA does establish a standard workweek of 40 hours for certain purposes, such as overtime pay for nonexempt workers.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the IRS defines a full-time worker as someone who works an average of 30 hours or more a week (or 130 hours a month) for purposes of determining eligibility for employer-provided minimum essential health insurance coverage.

If you’re working 30 hours or more in the U.S. for a single employer, you’ve met the legal requirements for full-time, which entitles you to benefits like social security, Medicare, federal unemployment insurance, state unemployment insurance, and worker’s compensation.

Companies can define “full-time work” as up to 40 hours per work week. The U.S. Department of Labor defines a work week as a “fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours – seven consecutive 24-hour periods.”

Unless you’re an exempt employee, anything more than 40 hours in a week is considered overtime. Employers in the U.S. must compensate non-exempt employees for overtime work at a rate of at least time and a half of their regular pay.

Full-time work can vary depending on the industry. Some industries, such as healthcare, military, or first responders, need workers 24/7 all year round. Hospitals and police offices do not close on holidays, so these types of jobs may also require longer shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Other industries, such as legal, manufacturing, mining and logging, and transportation, have a reputation for long shifts and workweeks. Jobs in these industries may also be exempt from overtime pay.

Standard full-time hours in different regions

The legal requirements for what is classified as full-time work also depend on the country where you work. Full-time classification affects the benefits you receive, ranging from healthcare to paid time off and holidays. In France, for example, if you’re an employee, you get 2.5 days of paid leave per actual month worked, which equals about 26 days of time off per year.

The definition of full-time also depends on the industry and occupation. Some full-time jobs—like those in the medical or hospitality field—may have different requirements for weekly hours and will follow specific legal guidelines for overtime pay.

Generally, a standard full-time work week worldwide is 30 to 40 hours. Some countries require overtime pay while others do not and leave it up to the company. How strictly labor laws are enforced also depends on the country.

Full-time workweeks around the world:

• United States. Full-time is a minimum of 30 hours per week but can be up to 40, depending on the company and state. Any hours worked after that are overtime (unless exempt) and paid a 1.5x hourly rate.
• France. Full-time is 35 hours per week. Any hours worked after that are overtime and paid at 1.25x their hourly rate for the first 8 hours, then 1.50x for additional hours.
• United Kingdom. Full-time is 35 hours per week. Workers may not average over 48 hours per week without written agreement.
• Spain. Full-time is 40 hours per week. Any hours worked after that are overtime, which is voluntary (except where collective agreements apply) and can be compensated as pay or rest periods.
• Italy.  Full-time is 40 hours per week. Workers may not average over 48 hours per week, including overtime.
• Denmark. Full-time is 37 hours per week. Workers may not average over 48 hours per week, including overtime.
• Australia. Full-time is 38 hours per week. Any hours worked after that are overtime and paid at 1.5x the minimum hourly rate for the first two hours and 2x after that per shift.
• Canada. Full-time is 40 hours per week. Any hours worked after that are overtime at paid 1.5x the hourly rate or time off equivalent to 1.5 hours of time off for every hour worked.
• Japan. Full-time is 40 hours per week. Any hours worked after that are overtime paid at 1.25 to 1.75, depending on the overtime classification and reasoning.
• Argentina. Full-time is a maximum of 48 hours per week. Any hours worked after that are overtime paid at 1.50x the hourly rate and 2x on holidays, Saturdays after 1 p.m., and Sundays.

Full-time hours in different industries

Standard work shifts and full-time hours can depend on the industry. Some industries must provide 24/7 service, while others require traveling to remote areas or increased hours to meet seasonal demands. Working in one of these industries could mean non-traditional hours outside of the typical 9-5. You could work twelve-hour shifts, nights, or weekends. Some doctors and other emergency service providers may need to work 24-hour shifts.

Examples of jobs and industries with non-traditional hours and workweeks:

• Healthcare (doctors, nurses, physician assistants)
• First responders (firefighters, police force, paramedics, military)
• Hospitality (hotels, restaurants, bartenders, concierge)
• Transportation (airline, maritime, freight, truck drivers, rideshare or food delivery)
• Manufacturing (warehouse workers, forklift operators, quality control)
• Entertainment industry (news, television & film)
• Customer service (technical support, call center representative, travel agent)
• Agriculture (farm hand, greenhouse worker, equipment operator)
• Retail (sales associate, merchandiser, cashier)
• Legal (lawyer, paralegal)

Some jobs in education and finance have seasonal demands. You may not work part of the year and then work longer hours during times of high demand. Teachers typically work nine months out of the year and then have summers off when students are on break. Tax accountants in the U.S. will often work long hours to help clients prepare returns during tax season from January to April.

Pros and cons of full-time employment

Whether or not full-time employment works for you depends on your preferences, financial needs, and responsibilities outside of work. Full-time employment has pros and cons, as with any other type of work arrangement. While working full-time for one company can offer financial stability, benefits, and a set routine, it can also be less flexible and a bigger commitment compared to working part-time or freelancing.

Evaluating the pros and cons of full-time employment can help you assess whether or not it’s the right fit for you.

Pros:

• Income. Full-time workers receive a consistent paycheck delivered weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Income is predictable, allowing for predictable financial planning and security.
• Benefits. Many full-time workers have access to benefits like health insurance, retirement options, paid time off, vacation time, and child care, which can improve their quality of life.
• Job security. A full-time job typically provides more job security than part-time or temporary jobs.
• Career advancement. Companies that use full-time workers tend to promote from within, allowing for career growth. They may also offer more career development opportunities to full-time employees.

Cons:

Downsides to full-time work might include:

• Flexibility. Full-time work is more rigid, typically with a set schedule every week. Full-time workers rarely have control over their weekly hours, as the company determines those hours.
• Burnout. Full-time work can often be demanding and cause workers stress, increasing the risk of burnout.
• Work-life balance. Not all full-time work is equal, and depending on the responsibilities, some companies may require employees to work outside set hours, negatively impacting life outside work. Full-time work can also make pursuing personal interests or hobbies more difficult.
• Corporate structure. Full-time workers may have less autonomy over expectations and how they operate, permitting less freedom. Most companies have a human resources (HR) department where workers can raise issues or concerns, but it doesn’t always lead to a resolution.

Impact of remote work on full-time hours

Many companies have adopted remote or flexible working policies that allow employees to work from home at least part of the time. This has impacted what full-time hours look like as companies shift from measuring productivity by time spent in the office to employee output.

Remote working allows employees to work hours that best fit their lifestyles as long as they’re meeting deadlines and fulfilling their responsibilities. Some roles still may need to be online for designated hours during their shift. Companies can monitor employee activity with time-tracking software that measures keystrokes and takes random screenshots.

Companies may have “core hours” designed for meetings and collaborating across time zones, but be flexible on when employees are logged into their computers, especially for salaried workers. Salaried workers get paid the same amount each week regardless of hours worked. They are typically not eligible for overtime.

Remote working makes it possible for companies to hire the best talent, not just talent in the local market or willing to relocate. As a remote worker, you don’t have to commute to the office and have more flexibility over where you live.

Alternative work options

Full-time employment isn’t the right choice for everyone. You can explore alternative work options that best fit your personal situation. Working part-time could allow you to be a caretaker or start your own business during your off hours. Freelancers often get to set their schedules and work from home. Alternative work options let you decide what work looks like for you.

Part-time work

Part-time work is generally defined as working fewer than 30 to 35 hours weekly. Differences between full-time and part-time work include:

• Hours. Full-time workers work between 30 and 40 or more hours a week, while part-time employees usually work less than 30 hours a week.
• Job security. Working part-time comes with less job security than full-time work since part-time positions are often temporary or seasonal.
• Benefits. Full-time workers often receive benefits like health insurance and retirement options, whereas part-time employees generally receive less comprehensive benefits.
• Flexibility. Part-time work allows for more flexibility than full-time work. Part-time workers often have more control over their schedules, allowing them to work around personal responsibilities. Full-time workers tend to have a set schedule, allowing for more consistency.‍
• Compensation. Part-time workers generally make less money than full-time workers since they work fewer hours. Some part-time jobs only pay minimum wage or rely on tips and commission, depending on the state and country.

Contract work

Contractors agree to work set-length contracts at a company full or part time. The contract may be short-term for just a few months or long-term and up to a year or more. Working as a contractor can allow you to take time off in between contracts and see what it’s like to work at different companies.

• Hours. Contractors tend to work based on their ability, meaning they can have flexible schedules or varied work weeks. In comparison, full-time employees work the same set of hours each week.
• Job security. Contractors are guaranteed work during the contract period.
• Benefits. Some full-time contractors are eligible for benefits from the company they work for.
• Compensation. Contract positions may pay more hourly or per project rather than full-time roles.

Job-sharing

Job-sharing is where you split work hours and responsibilities with another person. Job-sharing and full-time work differ in several ways, including:

• Hours. Job-sharing means you split the hours with another worker. For example, two employees may each work 20 hours a week instead of the typical 40 hours of a full-time worker.
• Job security. Job-sharing may have less job security than full-time work since the position is split.
• Benefits. Job-sharing may not afford the same benefits as full-time work. Still, it does offer its own advantages, including retaining the responsibility of a full-time position with the flexibility of part-time hours. In addition, it allows for the exchange of ideas and knowledge, enabling a closer relationship between employees.
• Flexibility. Job-sharing allows for greater flexibility, as the worker shares responsibilities and works fewer hours than a full-time job. ‍
• Compensation. When participating in job-sharing, employees split their hours, meaning they earn less money than if working full-time.

Fractional employment

Fractional employment is where workers may split their time between multiple companies part-time to create full-time hours. For example, you may work part-time in retail for 20 hours a week and then use an on-demand gig app like ride-sharing or food delivery for the other 20 hours a week to make ends meet.

The differences between fractional employment and full-time work are:

• Hours. While the idea is to fill the week working for multiple companies to create full-time hours, a fractional employee might not have enough work to get the same amount of hours as a full-time worker.
• Job security. Fractional employment has less job security than full-time employment since the employee works for multiple companies in smaller capacities.
• Benefits. Fractional workers have to forgo many full-time benefits like health care or retirement plans, but they have more flexibility and control over their working hours.
• Flexibility. Fractional working allows workers to create a schedule based on the companies they work for, and it often allows them to work remotely, providing greater flexibility than full-time work.
• Compensation. Fractional employment could provide the same earnings as full-time work, but it depends on finding enough companies to work for to fill a weekly schedule.

Freelancing

Freelancers are self-employed, offering their services on a contract or project basis. As a freelancer, you may work directly with clients and advertise your services on your website or use a freelancing platform like Upwork. Freelancers get to decide how many hours they’re available to work.

Working as a full-time employee and freelancing have fundamental differences, including:

• Hours. Freelancers typically choose their hours so they can work part or full time on a project-by-project basis, unlike full-time workers who have a set number of hours each week. Many freelancers can reach full-time status.
• Job security. Freelancing means workers need to find their own work, so income depends on the number and size of projects they can get.
• Benefits. Freelancers are responsible for their benefits, as they don’t receive the same benefits as full-time employees.
• Flexibility. Freelancers can often work anywhere at any time as long as they complete their projects by the assigned deadline. This allows freelancers to have more flexibility over a period of time than working full-time.
• Compensation. Freelancers are paid per project or hourly, so depending on how many projects a freelancer can take on and the rates they can negotiate, they can potentially earn more money than a typical full-time job. However, income isn’t as predictable as with full-time work.

Freelancers can find work in many places, including Upwork, a marketplace for freelancers in various fields like marketing, data science and analytics, AI and machine learning, web and software development, and writing. Upwork helps freelancers find projects, work with clients, and get paid directly through the site. Anyone can sign up and start their career in freelancing, no matter their level of experience.

Full-time employment FAQ

Full-time employment raises many questions, like whether a worker is entitled to overtime pay or guaranteed benefits. These FAQs can help you better understand full-time work. ‍

Are all full-time employees eligible for overtime pay?

Not all full-time workers are eligible for overtime pay. Under the FLSA, employers must offer overtime pay to hourly employees who work more than 40 hours a week.

However, certain exemptions exist, including salaried employees who perform executive, administrative, or professional duties and in specific industries or roles.

Job duties, salary levels, and industry standards are some factors that determine employee exemption.

Are full-time employees guaranteed employee benefits?

Employee benefits aren’t guaranteed to full-time workers. The benefits a company must legally provide full-time employees depend on the country, state, or even province in which they live. Most jobs offer benefits like health insurance and retirement plans as part of a benefits package because some employers are required to offer health care benefits. Specific benefits vary by industry and employer.

In the United States, some benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance, are legally required for eligible workers in the United States. State and local laws may also require certain benefits like paid sick leave or disability.

Check your country and state laws and your specific benefits package to see what you’re entitled to as a full-time worker. Some companies work to attract exceptional talent by offering additional benefits over and above what is legally required.

When applying for jobs, check the company's website for benefits or ask the recruiter during your interview. Benefits like unlimited PTO or stock options are factors to consider when evaluating job offers and salary requirements.  

What is the maximum number of hours a full-time employee can work (or be asked to work)?

The maximum number of hours a full-time worker can work varies by industry and country. In the United States, the FLSA requires companies to pay eligible workers overtime for any hours above 40 per workweek, but in France, for example, overtime kicks in at 35 hours. Some jurisdictions cap the total hours an employee can be asked to work, with serious penalties for frequent violators.

Make sure to review your contract and the laws in your specific country or state, as many companies have their own policies regarding the maximum number of hours a worker can work each week.

Find full-time freelancers, and opportunities, on Upwork

Whether you’re looking to build a scalable workforce or design your career, you can make Upwork your home for work. On Upwork, you can find high-quality talent that you need to take your business to the next level. Get help whenever you need it by shopping pre-scoped fixed-priced projects in Project Catalog™ that fit your budget or by posting a job on the Talent Marketplace™. If you’re looking for a full-time hire, you can find talent looking for full-time roles.  

As a freelancer on Upwork, you can find projects and jobs that fit your skill set and interests on the Talent Marketplace. Thousands of opportunities are posted every day. Over 50% of Fortune 500 use Upwork to find the talent they need. Create a schedule that works for you by deciding what projects and clients you accept. If you decide that you want to work full-time for one client, you can search for full-time opportunities.

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This article is intended for educational purposes and should not be viewed as legal or tax advice. Please consult a professional to find the solution that best fits your situation.