2026 calculation · 40h work week · 2,080 hours/year
$15 an Hour is How Much a Year?
$15/hour @ 40h/week
$31,200/year
≈ $2,600/mo · $1,200 biweekly · $600/week · $120/day
An hourly rate of $15 multiplied by a standard 2,080-hour work year (40 hours × 52 weeks) equals exactly $31,200 per year before taxes. This page shows the full breakdown — annual at different work-week lengths, weekly/monthly/biweekly equivalents, take-home pay after federal taxes, and how this rate compares to others.
$15/hour annual breakdown
| Work schedule | Annual salary (gross) |
|---|---|
| 30 hours/week (part-time) | $23,400 |
| 35 hours/week | $27,300 |
| 40 hours/week (standard full-time) | $31,200 |
| 45 hours/week | $35,100 |
| 50 hours/week | $39,000 |
All figures are gross (pre-tax). Salaried employees are typically paid the same amount regardless of weekly hours; hourly employees with 40h+ weeks usually earn overtime at 1.5× ($22.50/hr in this case).
$15/hour pay breakdown by period
| Period | Gross pay (40h/wk) |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $15.00 |
| Daily (8h) | $120 |
| Weekly | $600 |
| Biweekly | $1,200 |
| Monthly | $2,600 |
| Annual | $31,200 |
| Overtime rate (1.5×) | $22.50/hr |
$15/hour after taxes
For a single filer at $15/hour ($31,200/year) with the 2026 federal standard deduction and no state income tax, the after-tax annual take-home is approximately $27,249 — about 87.3% of your gross.
In hourly terms, that's roughly $13.10 per hour after tax instead of the gross $15.00. State income tax (CA/NY/HI add 4-13%), 401(k) contributions, and health insurance reduce this further.
→ See $15/hour take-home pay in your stateHow $15/hour compares to other rates
| Hourly rate | Annual (40h) | Monthly | Weekly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15/hour (this page) | $31,200 | $2,600 | $600 | |
| $20/hour | $41,600 | $3,467 | $800 | view → |
| $25/hour | $52,000 | $4,333 | $1,000 | view → |
| $30/hour | $62,400 | $5,200 | $1,200 | view → |
| $40/hour | $83,200 | $6,933 | $1,600 | view → |
| $50/hour | $104,000 | $8,667 | $2,000 | view → |
| $75/hour | $156,000 | $13,000 | $3,000 | view → |
FAQs about $15/hour
$15 an hour is how much a year?
$15 per hour works out to $31,200 per year assuming a 40-hour work week and 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours total). At 35 hours/week that's $27,300, and at 45 hours/week it's $35,100.
$15 an hour is how much a month?
$15 per hour at 40h/week comes out to $2,600 per month before taxes. That's $600 per week and $1,200 per biweekly paycheck.
$15 an hour is how much a day?
An 8-hour workday at $15/hour earns you $120 per day before taxes. Five 8-hour days = $600 per week.
What is $15 an hour after taxes?
For a single filer in 2026 (federal tax only, no state tax), $15/hour gross becomes approximately $13.10 per hour after tax — a take-home rate of about 87.3%. That's $27,249 annual net. State income tax (where applicable), 401(k) contributions, and health insurance premiums reduce this further.
What is $15/hour overtime?
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours over 40 per week. For $15/hour, overtime is $22.50/hour. Work 10 hours of overtime in a week and you'd earn an extra $225 — taxed at your normal rate (overtime is NOT taxed at a higher rate, a common misconception).
Is $15 an hour a livable wage?
At $15/hour full-time, you'd earn $31,200 per year. This is around the US median individual income (~$40,500). Comfortable in most areas, especially lower-cost states. Use our cost-of-living calculator to compare against specific cities.
Is $15/hour a good rate?
Whether $15/hour is "good" depends heavily on occupation, location, and experience. $15/hour ($31,200/year) is below the US median wage of about $23/hour. Common in retail, food service, and entry-level positions. Compare to similar roles in your area using BLS data.
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