Salary Calculator
Convert hourly, daily, weekly, or annual pay — and see how your wage stacks up.
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+ Advanced: Overtime & Vacation
Paid at 1.5× regular rate
Reduces total working days
Pay by Period
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $25.00 | 1 |
| Daily | $200.00 | 8 |
| Weekly | $1,000.00 | 40 |
| Biweekly (26×/yr) | $2,000.00 | 80 |
| Semi-Monthly (24×/yr) | $2,166.67 | 87 |
| Monthly | $4,333.33 | 173 |
| Quarterly | $13,000.00 | 520 |
| Annual | $52,000.00 | 2,080 |
Living Wage Comparison
US Income Percentile
Based on individual annual earnings (BLS/Census 2024 data)
How to Convert Hourly Wage to Annual Salary
Converting your hourly rate to an annual salary is straightforward math — but the details matter. The standard formula assumes 52 weeks, 40 hours per week, and no unpaid time off. That gives you 2,080 working hours per year as your baseline.
For example, at $25/hr: $25 × 40 hrs × 52 weeks = $52,000/year. If you take 2 weeks of unpaid vacation, your effective annual earnings drop to $25 × 40 × 50 = $50,000.
The 7 Standard Pay Periods
US employers pay workers on one of these schedules:
- Weekly — 52 paychecks per year, common in construction and retail
- Biweekly — 26 paychecks per year, the most common in the US (43% of workers)
- Semi-monthly — 24 paychecks per year, on fixed dates (1st and 15th)
- Monthly — 12 paychecks per year, common in Europe and for some executive roles
The practical difference: biweekly workers get 2 "three-paycheck months" per year — months where three paydays fall within the calendar month. This can feel like a windfall but it's not extra money, just timing.
Gross vs. Net Salary: What You Actually Take Home
Your gross salary is what this calculator shows. Your net salary — what hits your bank account — is significantly less. For a single adult earning $52,000, typical deductions include:
- Federal income tax: approximately $4,798 (after standard deduction)
- Social Security: $3,224 (6.2% of gross)
- Medicare: $754 (1.45% of gross)
- State income tax: varies from $0 (Texas, Florida) to 5%+ in California
After these deductions, a $52,000 gross salary results in roughly $42,000–$44,000 in take-home pay depending on your state. Use our Income Tax Calculator for a precise breakdown.
What Is a Living Wage?
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates the minimum hourly wage needed to cover basic expenses without relying on public assistance. As of 2024, the living wage for a single adult with no children in the US is $25.02/hour ($52,041/year before taxes).
This is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour — a rate that hasn't changed since 2009. Many states have enacted higher minimums: California leads at $16/hr statewide, with some cities like San Francisco at $18.67/hr.
The living wage rises sharply with family size. A single adult with one child needs approximately $46.73/hr to cover housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation in a major metro area.
US Income Percentiles (2024)
How does your salary compare to other Americans? According to Bureau of Labor Statistics and US Census data:
| Percentile | Annual Income | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,000 | $7.21/hr |
| 25th | $30,000 | $14.42/hr |
| 50th (Median) | $47,490 | $22.83/hr |
| 75th | $72,000 | $34.62/hr |
| 90th | $110,000 | $52.88/hr |
| 95th | $150,000 | $72.12/hr |
| 99th | $250,000+ | $120.19/hr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, US Census ACS 2024
Overtime Pay Rules
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive 1.5× their regular hourly rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. "Salaried exempt" employees — typically those earning over $684/week in professional, administrative, or executive roles — are not legally entitled to overtime.
A few states go further. California requires overtime after 8 hours in a single workday. Alaska and Nevada also have daily overtime requirements. If you work consistent overtime, your effective hourly rate and annual salary increase meaningfully — our calculator accounts for this in the advanced section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salary calculations involve more than just hourly to annual conversion. They factor in pay periods, taxes, deductions, and benefits. These FAQs help you understand your true take-home pay and compare offers across different pay structures.
How do I convert hourly wage to annual salary?
Annual salary = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For 40 hours/week: $20/hour = $41,600/year, $25/hour = $52,000, $30/hour = $62,400. This is gross (before tax). Take-home is typically 70–80% of gross depending on state and benefits.
What are the differences between weekly, biweekly, and semi-monthly pay?
Weekly = 52 paychecks/year. Biweekly = 26 paychecks/year (every 2 weeks). Semi-monthly = 24 paychecks/year (twice per month, like 1st and 15th). Biweekly results in slightly larger paychecks but two months per year have 3 paychecks instead of 2.
How much of my salary actually becomes take-home pay?
Typically 65–80% of gross, depending on state and elections. Federal tax (10–37%), state tax (0–13.3%), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and benefits (health insurance, 401k) all reduce gross to net. A $80,000 salary in California might net $58,000. In Texas (no state tax), about $63,000.
Is a salary or hourly position better financially?
Depends on hours worked. Salary typically means no overtime pay but more job security and benefits. Hourly typically means time-and-a-half over 40 hours/week. If you work 50+ hours weekly in a salary role, your effective hourly rate is lower than the equivalent hourly position.
How does my salary compare to others in the US?
2024 US median individual income is about $42,200/year ($20.30/hour). Top 10% earners make above $130,000. Top 1% above $360,000. Median household income (combined) is about $80,610. Cost of living varies enormously by state and city.