The salary-to-hourly formula
Hourly wage = annual salary ÷ (hours per week × weeks per year)The standard full-time year is 40 × 52 = 2,080 hours, which is why "$52,000 a year" and "$25 an hour" are the same pay. If you get unpaid weeks off, reduce the weeks figure — the hourly equivalent of the same salary rises, because you earn it in fewer working weeks.
Common salaries converted (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks)
| Annual salary | Hourly | Annual salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $14.42 | $70,000 | $33.65 |
| $40,000 | $19.23 | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| $50,000 | $24.04 | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| $60,000 | $28.85 | $120,000 | $57.69 |
Gross, not take-home
This calculator converts gross pay — before tax, pension and other deductions. Your take-home hourly equivalent will be lower; check a recent payslip for your personal deduction rate if you need the net figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year per hour?
At 40 hours a week for 52 weeks: $65,000 ÷ 2,080 = $31.25 per hour, before deductions.
What is the 2,080-hour rule?
It is the standard US full-time working year: 40 hours × 52 weeks. Employers use it to compare salaried and hourly roles.
Should I count holidays and vacation?
If you are paid for them, keep 52 weeks — you are paid for all of them. Contractors who are not paid for time off should subtract those weeks.
How do I compare a salaried offer with an hourly one?
Convert both to the same basis with this tool, then add the value of benefits (paid leave, pension matching, health cover) that hourly roles often lack.