Last updated: January 2026 · IRS verified — 2,080-hour standard
Annual Salary Calculator
Convert any hourly wage to annual salary, or break any yearly salary into monthly, biweekly, weekly, and daily pay — instantly. Formula based on the IRS and BLS standard 2,080-hour full-time work year.
The Annual Salary Formula
Every annual salary calculation uses one of two directions — converting an hourly wage to annual salary, or breaking an annual salary into shorter pay periods. Both formulas use the IRS-standard 2,080-hour work year as the conversion constant for full-time employees.
Hourly → Annual
Annual → Pay Periods
Worked Example — $23.75/hr at 38.5 hours per week
Gross pay before tax deductions. Calculate net take-home pay →
Pay Period Conversions — Full Reference Table
The table below shows the annual salary equivalent for common hourly wages across all pay periods, using the IRS standard 40-hour, 52-week work year. These are gross figures — before FICA taxes, federal income tax, or state tax deductions.
| Hourly rate | Annual | Monthly | Biweekly | Weekly | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 / hr | $20,800 | $1,733 | $800 | $400 | $80 |
| $12.00 / hr | $24,960 | $2,080 | $960 | $480 | $96 |
| $15.00 / hr | $31,200 | $2,600 | $1,200 | $600 | $120 |
| $17.00 / hr | $35,360 | $2,947 | $1,360 | $680 | $136 |
| $20.00 / hr | $41,600 | $3,467 | $1,600 | $800 | $160 |
| $22.00 / hr | $45,760 | $3,813 | $1,760 | $880 | $176 |
| $25.00 / hr | $52,000 | $4,333 | $2,000 | $1,000 | $200 |
| $29.81 / hr (US median) | $62,005 | $5,167 | $2,385 | $1,193 | $238 |
| $30.00 / hr | $62,400 | $5,200 | $2,400 | $1,200 | $240 |
| $35.00 / hr | $72,800 | $6,067 | $2,800 | $1,400 | $280 |
| $40.00 / hr | $83,200 | $6,933 | $3,200 | $1,600 | $320 |
| $50.00 / hr | $104,000 | $8,667 | $4,000 | $2,000 | $400 |
| $75.00 / hr | $156,000 | $13,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $600 |
| $100.00 / hr | $208,000 | $17,333 | $8,000 | $4,000 | $800 |
US median hourly wage: $29.81 per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Q4 2025. All figures are gross pay before taxes.
Part-Time Annual Salary — How the Calculation Changes
The 2,080-hour standard only applies to full-time workers at exactly 40 hours per week. For part-time employees, the annual equivalent salary is always lower than the headline hourly rate suggests — a point most salary calculators fail to show clearly.
| Weekly hours | Annual hours | Annual salary at $20/hr | vs full-time gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hrs / week | 780 | $15,600 | −$25,400 |
| 20 hrs / week | 1,040 | $20,800 | −$20,800 |
| 25 hrs / week | 1,300 | $26,000 | −$15,600 |
| 30 hrs / week | 1,560 | $31,200 | −$10,400 |
| 35 hrs / week | 1,820 | $36,400 | −$5,200 |
| 40 hrs / week (full-time) | 2,080 | $41,600 | — |
The difference matters for benefits eligibility, tax filing status, and any income-based programs. A worker at $20 per hour working 30 hours per week earns $31,200 annually — $10,400 less than the full-time equivalent even at the identical hourly rate. When comparing a part-time offer to a full-time offer, always convert both to annual salary first using actual hours.
Biweekly vs Semi-Monthly Pay — The Difference That Matters
Biweekly and semi-monthly pay schedules produce different paycheck amounts even for the same annual salary. This is the most common pay period confusion among US workers — and one that most salary calculators skip over entirely.
Biweekly (26 paychecks/year)
Semi-Monthly (24 paychecks/year)
On a $60,000 salary, each semi-monthly paycheck ($2,500) is $192.31 larger than each biweekly paycheck ($2,307.69) — but you receive two fewer paychecks per year. The annual total is identical. Which is better depends on how you manage cash flow: biweekly creates two bonus-paycheck months per year; semi-monthly makes monthly budgeting easier.
5 Common Annual Salary Calculation Mistakes
These are the errors that cause salary calculations to come out wrong — and why they happen.
Confusing biweekly with semi-monthly
Using 24 pay periods when your employer pays biweekly (26) — or vice versa — produces the wrong per-paycheck amount. Biweekly = every two weeks = 26 paychecks. Semi-monthly = twice per month = exactly 24 paychecks.
Using 2,080 hours for part-time workers
The 2,080-hour figure applies only to full-time workers at exactly 40 hours per week. A 30-hour worker has 1,560 annual hours. Using 2,080 overstates their annual salary by $10,400 at $20/hr.
Treating gross pay as take-home pay
Annual salary is gross — before taxes. A $52,000 salary does not mean $52,000 deposited per year. After FICA (7.65%), federal income tax, and state tax, actual take-home is typically $40,000–$43,000. Use the take-home pay calculator for net figures.
Forgetting unpaid time off in the hourly conversion
Hourly contractors who take unpaid weeks off earn less annually than the formula suggests. A contractor at $45/hr taking 3 unpaid weeks works 49 weeks — earning $45 × 40 × 49 = $88,200, not $93,600. Salaried workers are paid for all 52 weeks regardless.
Including overtime in the base annual salary
Annual salary calculations show base pay only. Overtime earnings under FLSA (1.5× for hours above 40 per week) are variable and cannot be annualised reliably. Calculate base annual salary and overtime separately using the overtime pay calculator.
Use actual hours and the right pay period divisor
Always use your actual weekly hours. Always confirm whether your employer pays biweekly (÷26) or semi-monthly (÷24). Calculate gross first, then use the take-home pay calculator for net. Keep overtime separate.
What Your Annual Salary Means in Context
Knowing your annual salary figure is only useful when you can compare it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes quarterly earnings data for full-time US workers. As of Q4 2025, the median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers was $1,196 — equivalent to $62,192 annually.
| Percentile | Annual salary | Hourly equivalent | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | ~$24,000 | ~$11.54/hr | Bottom 10% of full-time earners |
| 25th percentile | ~$37,500 | ~$18.03/hr | Below average earnings |
| 50th percentile (median) | ~$62,192 | ~$29.90/hr | Middle of all full-time earners |
| 75th percentile | ~$95,000 | ~$45.67/hr | Top quarter of earners |
| 90th percentile | ~$140,000 | ~$67.31/hr | Top 10% of earners |
For full state-by-state and industry breakdowns, see our average American salary guide. For comparison of salary vs hourly employment structures, see our salary vs hourly guide. To understand how your annual salary translates to actual net pay in your state, use the take-home pay calculator.
Annual Salary Calculator — FAQ
How do I calculate annual salary from hourly wage?
Multiply your hourly rate by your weekly hours, then multiply by 52. For full-time workers at 40 hours per week, multiply by 2,080 — the IRS and BLS standard work year. Example: $23.75 per hour × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $49,400 annual salary. For part-time, replace 40 with your actual weekly hours. Use the calculator on this page for instant results.
What is the IRS standard work year for salary calculations?
The IRS and Bureau of Labor Statistics define the standard full-time work year as 2,080 hours — 40 hours per week multiplied by 52 weeks. This is the standard conversion constant used to calculate hourly rates from annual salaries, verify paycheck amounts, and compare wage rates across industries. It appears in BLS wage publications and IRS payroll guidance.
How many pay periods are in a year?
The number of pay periods depends on your pay frequency: weekly = 52, biweekly = 26, semi-monthly = 24, monthly = 12. Biweekly is the most common schedule in the US. Note that biweekly and semi-monthly are not the same — biweekly produces 26 paychecks per year while semi-monthly produces exactly 24. On a $60,000 salary this means a $192.31 difference per paycheck ($2,307.69 biweekly vs $2,500.00 semi-monthly).
How do I calculate salary for part-time hours?
Multiply your hourly rate by your actual weekly hours, then multiply by 52. Example: $19.50 per hour × 28 hours per week × 52 weeks = $28,392 annual salary. This is $12,168 less than the full-time equivalent ($40,560) at the same $19.50 rate. When comparing job offers, always convert to annual salary using your actual expected hours — not the IRS 2,080-hour standard if you are working part-time.
What is the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly pay?
Biweekly = every two weeks = 26 paychecks per year. Semi-monthly = twice per month on fixed dates = 24 paychecks per year. Both equal the same annual total, but the per-paycheck amount differs. Two months per year on a biweekly schedule contain three paychecks — a "bonus paycheck month" that can help with lump-sum savings. Semi-monthly paycheck amounts are consistent every period, making monthly budget planning simpler.
Does annual salary include overtime pay?
No. This calculator shows base annual pay only. Overtime earnings under the Fair Labor Standards Act (1.5× your regular rate for hours worked above 40 per week) are variable and calculated separately. To add overtime to your annual salary estimate, first calculate your base annual salary here, then use the overtime pay calculator to estimate annual overtime earnings and add the two figures together.
How do I convert a $60,000 salary to an hourly rate?
Divide $60,000 by 2,080 (the standard work year) = $28.85 per hour. If you work fewer than 40 hours per week, divide by your actual annual hours instead. At 35 hours per week: $60,000 ÷ (35 × 52) = $60,000 ÷ 1,820 = $32.97 per hour. Use the salary to hourly calculator for instant conversion.
What is gross annual salary vs net annual salary?
Gross annual salary is your total earnings before any deductions — the number on your offer letter, W-2, and tax return. Net annual salary — your actual take-home pay — is lower after federal income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%), state income tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions. For a $52,000 salary in a moderate-tax state, net take-home is typically $40,000–$43,000 per year. Use the take-home pay calculator for your exact net figure. For a plain-language explanation, read our gross pay vs net pay guide.
Is $20 an hour a good salary in 2026?
$20 per hour equals $41,600 annually at full-time hours — below the US median individual income of approximately $62,192. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and a moderate state income tax, take-home pay is roughly $33,000–$36,000 per year. Whether it is sufficient depends on your location: $41,600 covers expenses comfortably in lower-cost areas like rural Texas or Mississippi, but is tight in high cost-of-living cities. See our average American salary guide for state-by-state comparisons.