Salary employees, otherwise known as “exempt,” have different rules based on the nature of their pay structure. These employees typically receive a consistent paycheck regardless of how many actual hours were done during the week. Yes, this is even true if they put in overtime. Employers in California must pay these individuals at least twice the minimum wage based on a 40-hour work week, which currently sits at $15.50 an hour. The rest of their rights and benefits are governed by both their employee contract and applicable state laws, such as entitlements to sick leave, on-the-job breaks, etc.