The conversion formulas
With 40 hours and 52 weeks, a year has 2,080 paid hours. A quick estimate: double the hourly rate and add three zeros (25/hour ≈ 50,000/year).
Common conversions (40-hour week, 52 weeks)
| Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 2,600 | 31,200 |
| 20 | 3,467 | 41,600 |
| 25 | 4,333 | 52,000 |
| 30 | 5,200 | 62,400 |
| 50 | 8,667 | 104,000 |
Why "monthly" isn't four weeks
A year has 52 weeks but 12 months, so a month averages 4.33 weeks, not 4. That's why monthly pay is always calculated from the yearly figure. People paid every two weeks get 26 paychecks a year, which means two months a year have three paydays.
Comparing a job offer with contracting
Employees usually get paid holidays, sick pay and pension contributions on top of salary. Contractors and freelancers don't, and often face gaps between contracts. A common rule is that a contractor's hourly rate needs to be about 1.5–2 times an employee's equivalent rate to come out even. Use "paid weeks per year" to reflect the weeks you'll actually bill.
Part-time and overtime
For part-time work, enter your actual weekly hours: 20 hours a week at 25 an hour is 26,000 a year. To compare a salaried job with paid overtime, work out the salary's hourly rate first, then compare it with the overtime rate on offer. A salary that looks higher can work out lower per hour if the role routinely expects long weeks.
Before tax
All figures are gross (before income tax and deductions). Take-home pay depends on your country's tax rules, so check an official tax calculator for net pay.
Comparing job offers
When you compare two jobs, convert both to the same period and the same hours. A higher hourly rate can still earn less per year if it comes with fewer guaranteed hours or unpaid holidays. Also look beyond pay: pension contributions, health insurance, bonuses, overtime rates, commuting costs and remote-work days can be worth thousands a year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hourly pay to a yearly salary?
Multiply the hourly rate by your hours per week and paid weeks per year. At 40 hours and 52 weeks, multiply by 2,080.
What is 50,000 a year per hour?
About 24.04 an hour for a 40-hour week with 52 paid weeks.
How many working hours are in a year?
About 2,080 for a 40-hour week, or 1,950 for a 37.5-hour week, with 52 paid weeks.
How do I convert yearly salary to monthly?
Divide the yearly salary by 12.
Is this before or after tax?
Before tax. Take-home pay depends on your country’s tax and deductions.
Last updated October 2026 · More finance & business