The 2,080-hour rule
A full-time US job is usually counted as 40 hours a week for 52 weeks = 2,080 hours a year. To turn a salary into an hourly rate, divide by 2,080; to go the other way, multiply by 2,080. A quick mental shortcut: double the hourly rate and add three zeros — $30 an hour is roughly $60,000 a year (exactly $62,400).
Worked example
A $75,000 salary at 40 hours a week is $36.06 an hour, $1,442 a week, $2,885 per bi-weekly paycheck, $3,125 per semi-monthly paycheck and $6,250 a month. If the same job were 45 hours a week, the effective hourly rate drops to about $32.05 — a useful check when comparing a salaried offer with an hourly one that pays overtime.
Common hourly rates as a yearly salary
| Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15 | $600 | $2,600 | $31,200 |
| $20 | $800 | $3,467 | $41,600 |
| $25 | $1,000 | $4,333 | $52,000 |
| $30 | $1,200 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| $40 | $1,600 | $6,933 | $83,200 |
| $50 | $2,000 | $8,667 | $104,000 |
40 hours a week, 52 paid weeks, before tax.
What this includes & its limits
- Straight-time conversion between pay periods, with adjustable hours, days and unpaid weeks.
- Does not include overtime premiums, bonuses, benefits or taxes.