In California, employees are generally classified as exempt or non-exempt, and the distinction is important for workplace rights.

- Exempt employees are paid a salary, do not earn overtime, and are not entitled to meal and rest breaks under state law. To qualify, they must usually perform professional, executive, or administrative duties and earn at least twice the state minimum wage on a full-time basis.

- Non-exempt employees are covered by California’s wage and hour laws. They must be paid overtime for working more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, and they are entitled to meal periods and rest breaks.

✅ In short, exempt means no overtime protections, while non-exempt means full wage and break protections under California law.