The most common question people search is simply "how much is $X an hour annually?" Here's a quick reference table for the most searched hourly rates, based on a standard 40-hour work week and 52 weeks per year.
The standard formula assumes 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year: Annual = Hourly × Hours/Week × Weeks/Year. For a 40-hour week that's 2,080 total work hours per year.
For overtime, US federal law (FLSA) requires that hours worked beyond 40 per week be paid at 1.5× the regular rate. This calculator applies that multiplier automatically when you enter overtime hours.
These figures are gross pay — before federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state taxes, and any other deductions. Your actual take-home pay will be lower depending on your tax situation.
Frequently asked questions
How many work hours are in a year?
A standard full-time schedule is 40 hours per week × 52 weeks = 2,080 hours per year. If you take 2 weeks of unpaid vacation, that drops to 2,000 hours. Some salaried jobs calculate based on 2,087 hours to account for the precise number of weekdays in an average year.
Is $15 an hour a good wage?
$15/hour equals $31,200 per year before taxes. Whether that's "good" depends heavily on where you live. In rural areas with low cost of living it can be livable. In high cost-of-living cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, $15/hour is below what most budgets require for a single person. The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour, though many states have higher minimums.
How much is $20 an hour annually?
$20 per hour equals $41,600 per year based on a standard 40-hour work week and 52 weeks. Monthly that's approximately $3,467. Biweekly (every two weeks) it's $1,600.
How do I convert an annual salary to hourly?
Divide the annual salary by 2,080 (the number of work hours in a standard year). Example: $52,000 ÷ 2,080 = $25/hour. If you work fewer hours, divide by your actual annual hours instead.
What is the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly pay?
Biweekly means paid every two weeks — 26 paychecks per year. Semi-monthly means paid twice a month (usually the 1st and 15th) — 24 paychecks per year. The annual total is the same, but the individual paycheck amounts differ slightly. Biweekly pay results in two "extra" paychecks per year in months where a third payday falls.
Does this calculator show take-home pay after taxes?
No — this calculator shows gross pay only. Actual take-home pay depends on your federal and state tax bracket, filing status, Social Security and Medicare withholding (7.65% combined for most employees), any health insurance premiums, 401k contributions, and other deductions. A rough estimate is that most workers take home 70–80% of their gross pay, but this varies widely.