Do Salaried Employees Need to Fill Out a Time Card?
October 23, 2026
Whether a salaried employee needs to track time on a time card depends on their FLSA exempt vs. non-exempt classification, not simply on whether they're paid a salary — salary and exemption status are related but distinct concepts.
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An exempt employee (meeting specific FLSA criteria around job duties and salary level) generally isn't entitled to overtime pay and often isn't required to track hours in the same way. A non-exempt employee, even if paid on a salary basis, is still entitled to overtime protections and generally does need accurate time tracking.
Why This Distinction Matters
Assuming "salaried" automatically means "exempt" is a common but incorrect simplification — a non-exempt salaried employee's employer still needs accurate time records to correctly calculate any overtime owed, so time tracking requirements should be based on actual exemption status, not pay structure alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all salaried employees skip time card tracking?
No — this depends on FLSA exempt vs. non-exempt status, not simply on being paid a salary.
Can a salaried employee be non-exempt?
Yes — salary and exemption status are related but distinct; a non-exempt salaried employee still needs accurate time tracking for overtime purposes.
Why does this distinction matter?
Assuming all salaried employees are exempt is a common mistake that can lead to missed overtime pay for non-exempt salaried employees.
Where can I confirm FLSA exemption criteria?
DOL's official guidance on FLSA exemptions at dol.gov.