Embodiments generally relate to processing element restart precedence in a job overlay environment. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a job overlay, wherein the job overlay involves updates to a subset of processing elements of a plurality of processing elements of a job. The method further includes determining processing requirements of the plurality of processing elements. The method further includes determining computation capabilities of computational resources associated with the plurality of processing elements. The method further includes determining a processing element restart order based at least in part on processing requirements and computation capabilities. The method further includes updating the subset of processing elements. The method further includes restarting the subset of processing elements based at least in part on the processing element restart order.