White-collar employees work in offices and typically use their minds, knowledge, and education, rather than physical ability, to do their jobs. They are also often supervisors of other employees or business owners.
While most people think blue collar/white collar determines eligibility for overtime pay, that is not true. White-collar employees may also be entitled to overtime.
It is only when white-collar employees fall into the categories below that they too may not qualify for overtime:
If you are an owner of the business (owning at least 20% of the business)
If you are a manager
If you are working in some administrative positions
If you are in a profession where education, training, or creativity make the difference in pay and responsibility
If you work in certain industries (computer technology, motion picture production, education, public agencies)
If you are in sales
But even in white-collar employment, the wage and hour law still starts with an expectation that you are eligible for overtime pay unless you are an owner.