Living Wage Milestone

$15 an Hour is How Much a Year?

$15 per hour has become the definitive benchmark for modern entry-level wages. Let's look at what this looks like for your bank account.

Yearly Gross
$31,200
Monthly
$2,600
Weekly
$600
Customize Your Calculation
$ / hr
×
hrs/wk
×
52 wks
=
$31,200

Full Payroll Breakdown

Pay PeriodGross Earnings
Yearly$31,200
Monthly$2,600.00
Bi-Weekly$1,200.00
Weekly$600.00
Daily (8 hrs)$120.00

The Calculation

The $15 hourly wage is often calculated using the standard 2,080-hour work year. This assumes no unpaid time off and a full 40-hour weekly schedule.

$15 × 40 × 52 = $31,200

Overtime Pay

Working beyond 40 hours triggers a premium rate of $22.50 per hour. A 50-hour work week yields $825 gross.

Model Your Overtime →

5 Jobs Paying Around $15/Hour

Barista: Specialty coffee shops in urban markets.
Warehouse Loader: Major fulfillment centers like Amazon.
Medical Receptionist: Handling clinic scheduling and billing.
Bank Teller: Standard starting rate for many national banks.
Security Officer: Unarmed patrol roles in corporate settings.

Cost of Living: Urban vs. Rural

$15 per hour buys a very different lifestyle depending on where you live. In many rural Texas or Florida communities, $31,200 is enough to rent a modest apartment independently. However, in cities like Los Angeles or Miami, you will likely need at least one roommate to maintain a reasonable housing-to-income ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual salary for $15 an hour?

On a full-time 40-hour work week, $15/hr equals a gross annual income of $31,200.

Is $15 an hour a living wage?

In many parts of the U.S., $15/hr is considered the baseline for a "living wage" for a single adult, though it remains tight in major coastal cities like NYC or San Francisco.

How much is $15 an hour bi-weekly?

Your gross paycheck every two weeks (80 hours) would be exactly $1,200.00.

What is $15 an hour monthly?

On average, $15 per hour translates to $2,600.00 per month before taxes.

How much is overtime at $15/hr?

Your "Time and a Half" rate is $22.50 per hour. Working 10 hours of overtime in a week adds $225 to your paycheck.

Compare to Neighboring Wages

$14 an Hour Next: $16 an Hour