$15 an Hour is How Much a Year?
$15 an hour equals $31,200 per year for a full-time 40-hour workweek (40 × 52 × $15). Here is the full pay breakdown and after-tax take-home by state.
Hourly to Salary Calculator
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$31,200 gross isn't what lands in your bank account. At this income level, FICA (7.65%) plus state tax typically takes 10–18%, so net take-home on $15/hr is usually $26,000–$28,000/yr. Pick your state for an exact paycheck estimate.
$15/hr Salary by Weekly Schedule
How $15 an hour translates into a full year's pay for full-time, reduced, and part-time schedules.
| Hours/Week | Schedule | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Full-time | $31,200 |
| 35 | Reduced schedule | $27,300 |
| 30 | Part-time / ACA | $23,400 |
| 20 | Half-time | $15,600 |
Based on full-year work (52 weeks) with no unpaid leave. Adjust the calculator above if your schedule includes unpaid vacation or reduced weeks.
How $15/hr Becomes $31,200/yr
The standard formula to convert hourly pay to annual salary assumes a 40-hour workweek across all 52 weeks of the year: $15 × 40 × 52 = $31,200. That matches the federal government's 2,080 annual work hours definition (40 × 52 = 2,080), so dividing any annual salary by 2,080 always gives an hourly equivalent.
In practice, most hourly employees don't work 52 full weeks — PTO, holidays, and unpaid leave reduce total hours. If you take two weeks of unpaid vacation, your real-world $15/hr salary is closer to $30,000/yr. For benefits eligibility and payroll, however, employers typically gross up to the 2,080-hour standard.
Looking for a raise? Use our Salary Raise Calculator to see how moving from $15 to $18 or $20 an hour changes your yearly total.
Is $15/hr good?
Above federal minimum: $15/hr is more than 2× the federal minimum of $7.25 — the “Fight for $15” target.
Below US median: Median personal income in 2024 was ~$48k. $31,200 is roughly 35% below that — typical for entry-level or part-time roles.
Living wage varies widely: In rural Mississippi or Alabama, $15/hr can cover a single adult. In SF, NYC, Seattle or Boston it is below the local living wage for one person.
EITC boost: At this income level, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can add thousands of dollars to your refund — check eligibility at IRS.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
$15 an hour is how much a year?
$15 an hour is $31,200 a year before taxes, assuming a full-time 40-hour workweek across 52 weeks (40 × 52 × $15 = $31,200). If you take two weeks of unpaid leave and only work 50 weeks, the yearly total drops to $30,000. Actual take-home depends on your state, federal tax bracket, and pre-tax deductions like health insurance.
Is $15 an hour a good salary?
$15/hr translates to $31,200/year — this is the target championed by the “Fight for $15” movement and is more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr. However, $31,200 is well below the 2024 US median personal income of ~$48,000 and below the living-wage threshold for a single adult in most US metros. In lower-cost rural areas, $15/hr can cover basic expenses, but it rarely supports a family of 4 anywhere in the US.
$15 an hour is how much a month?
$15 an hour is approximately $2,600 per month gross ($31,200 ÷ 12). If you are paid biweekly, that is roughly $1,200 per paycheck — or $600 per weekly paycheck. After federal, state, FICA, and any pre-tax deductions, net monthly take-home is typically $2,200–$2,400 depending on your state and filing status.
How much is $15 an hour after taxes?
Roughly $26,000–$28,000 per year after taxes in most US states. At this income level, the standard deduction covers most federal tax liability, so FICA (7.65%) plus state income tax is the largest bite. No-income-tax states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Nevada net the highest take-home (~$28k), while states like California, New York, and Oregon net ~$26k. For an exact figure, use the state paycheck calculators below.