The basic conversion
A full-time US job is usually counted as 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, which equals 2,080 hours a year. Multiply your hourly wage by 2,080 to get gross annual pay. At $20 an hour, that's $41,600 a year. Our hourly to salary calculator lets you change hours and weeks.
Quick reference table
$15/hour ≈ $31,200 a year; $18 ≈ $37,440; $20 ≈ $41,600; $25 ≈ $52,000; $30 ≈ $62,400; $35 ≈ $72,800; $40 ≈ $83,200; $50 ≈ $104,000. A handy shortcut: double the hourly rate and add three zeros for an approximate annual figure ($25 → about $50,000).
Monthly, biweekly and weekly pay
Divide the annual figure by 12 for monthly pay ($41,600 ÷ 12 ≈ $3,467), by 26 for biweekly paychecks ($1,600) and by 52 for weekly pay ($800). Note that months aren't equal length, so monthly averages are approximate.
Part-time and unpaid time off
If you work 30 hours a week, multiply by 1,560 instead. If you take two weeks of unpaid leave, use 50 weeks. Contractors and freelancers should also subtract time spent on unpaid tasks such as invoicing and finding clients.
Overtime
Under US federal rules, non-exempt employees earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Five overtime hours a week at $20 adds $150 a week, or about $7,800 a year.
From gross to take-home pay
Gross pay is before taxes and deductions. Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state taxes and benefits all reduce your paycheck. Our article on 2026 federal tax brackets explains how income tax is calculated on your annual figure.
Comparing job offers
When comparing an hourly job with a salaried one, include benefits: paid vacation, health insurance and retirement matching can be worth thousands of dollars. Paid time off effectively raises an hourly worker's real rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $20 an hour per year?
About $41,600 before tax, based on 40 hours a week for 52 weeks.
How many work hours are in a year?
2,080 for a standard 40-hour week.
How much is $25 an hour annually?
About $52,000 per year full time.
How is overtime calculated?
Non-exempt US workers earn 1.5× their regular rate for hours over 40 per week.