How to Convert Hourly Wages to Salary
Comparing job offers can be confusing when one employer quotes an hourly rate and another proposes a flat annual salary. Knowing how to convert hourly wages to salary (and vice versa) allows you to perform an apples-to-apples comparison of your potential earnings.
The Full-Time Standard: 2,080 Hours
In the United States and many Western markets, a standard full-time work schedule is defined as 40 hours per week for 52 weeks per year (including paid time off and holidays).
Total Annual Hours = 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = 2,080 hours
To find your annual salary, simply multiply your hourly rate by 2,080:
Annual Salary = Hourly Wage × 2,080
For example, if you earn $25.00 per hour:
$25.00 × 2,080 = $52,000annual salary before taxes.
Different Payment Frequencies Explained
Once you have your annual salary, you can break it down into common paycheck cycles:
- Monthly: Paid 12 times a year.
Annual Salary ÷ 12. - Semi-Monthly: Paid 24 times a year (typically 15th and last day of month).
Annual Salary ÷ 24. - Bi-Weekly: Paid 26 times a year (every other week).
Annual Salary ÷ 26. Note that in bi-weekly schedules, two months of the year will feature three paychecks instead of two. - Weekly: Paid 52 times a year.
Hourly Rate × Hours per Week.
Adjust your schedules, hours, and vacation time in our calculator to model your exact pay schedules.
From the Blog
Related reading
Guides and expert advice to complement this calculator.
Hourly to Salary Wage Conversion: Standard Schedules & Formulas
A complete guide to converting hourly pay to annual salary. Compare standard 2,080-hour schedules, pay frequencies, and check calculations.
Business FinanceHow to Calculate Take Home Salary: Paycheck Deductions Guide
A complete guide on calculating your net take-home salary. Learn how federal income tax brackets, state taxes, and FICA payroll deductions affect your paycheck.