📊 $15/Hour — Full Salary Breakdown Table
| Time Period | Gross Pay | After-Tax (est.) | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual (52 weeks) | $31,200 | ~$26,520 | 2,080 |
| Monthly | $2,600 | ~$2,210 | 173.3 |
| Biweekly (26×/yr) | $1,200 | ~$1,020 | 80 |
| Weekly | $600 | ~$510 | 40 |
| Daily (8 hrs) | $120 | ~$98 | 8 |
| Hourly | $15.00 | ~$12.75 | 1 |
* Based on 40 hrs/week, 52 weeks/year (2,080 total hours). After-tax estimates assume single filer, standard deduction, ~22% federal effective rate + FICA. Get your precise after-tax number →
⏰ $15/Hour at Different Hours Per Week
Not everyone works 40 hours. Here's what $15/hour looks like at various weekly schedules:
| Hours/Week | Schedule Type | Annual Salary | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hrs/wk | Part-time (light) | $11,700 | $975 |
| 20 hrs/wk | Half-time | $15,600 | $1,300 |
| 25 hrs/wk | Part-time | $19,500 | $1,625 |
| 30 hrs/wk | Part-time (near full) | $23,400 | $1,950 |
| 35 hrs/wk | Reduced full-time | $27,300 | $2,275 |
| 40 hrs/wk | Standard full-time | $31,200 | $2,600 |
| 45 hrs/wk | Full-time + overtime | $35,100 | $2,925 |
| 50 hrs/wk | Heavy overtime | $39,000 | $3,250 |
💡 Is $15 an Hour Good Pay in 2026?
No — $15/hour is not considered good pay in 2026. It is 44% below the national median wage ($26.80/hr). At $31,200/year, it falls below the living wage for a single adult in virtually every U.S. city. Livable only in the lowest cost-of-living rural areas with very careful budgeting.
$15/hr ($31,200/yr) is near the living wage for single adults but still 44% below the national median ($26.80/hr). Comfortable in low-cost areas, tight in major metros.
| Benchmark | Hourly | Annual | vs. $25/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 | +107% |
| U.S. living wage (single adult) | $20.00 | $41,600 | -25% |
| National median hourly wage | $26.80 | $55,744 | -44% |
| National mean hourly wage | $28.50 | $59,280 | −12.3% |
| Your rate | $15.00 | $31,200 | — |
🗺️ $15/Hour After-Tax by State
Your take-home pay at $15/hour varies significantly by state. No-income-tax states let you keep much more of your $52,000 salary:
Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction, federal + state income tax + FICA. Get your exact after-tax for any state →
💰 $31,200/Year Budget Breakdown
On a $31,200 salary (~$2,210/month after tax in most states), here's a recommended budget using the 50/30/20 rule:
💼 Jobs That Pay Around $15 an Hour in 2026
Many in-demand careers pay close to $15/hour without requiring a 4-year degree. Here are common occupations at this wage level per BLS OEWS data:
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
$15 an hour equals $31,200 per year for a standard full-time schedule (40 hours/week × 52 weeks). The calculation: $15 × 40 × 52 = $31,200. Monthly that's $2,600, biweekly $1,200, and weekly $600. After federal taxes and FICA, your estimated take-home is approximately $40,500–$41,800 per year depending on your state.
$15/hour is below the national living wage ($18–22/hr for single adults) in most U.S. cities. The national median hourly wage is approximately $26.80/hr per 2026 BLS data, so $25/hr places you just below median nationally. It's well above the living wage ($18–22/hr) for a single adult in most cities, and provides a comfortable lifestyle in mid-cost areas. However, in high-cost cities like San Francisco or New York, $25/hr ($52,000/year) may feel tight due to housing costs.
At $31,200/year (single filer, standard deduction), estimated deductions include federal income tax (~$5,990), Social Security ($3,224), and Medicare ($754). In a state with no income tax (TX, FL, NV, WA), your take-home is approximately $42,032/year ($3,503/month). In California, it drops to approximately $37,400/year after state taxes. Use our after-tax calculator for your exact state.
$15/hour equals $2,600 per month gross (before taxes), calculated as $31,200 ÷ 12 months. After taxes in most states, your monthly take-home is approximately $3,375–$3,503. Note: if you're paid biweekly (every 2 weeks), you'll receive $2,000 per paycheck — 2 paychecks most months, but 3 paychecks in two months of the year.
$31,200 divided by 12 equals $2,600 per month (rounded to $4,333). This is your gross monthly income before taxes. To find your hourly rate from $52,000/year: $31,200 ÷ 2,080 hours = $15.00/hour exactly. Use our yearly to hourly calculator for any annual salary.
At $31,200/year, you may qualify for a mortgage of approximately $80,000–$110,000 using a 28% front-end debt ratio, assuming good credit and minimal other debt. This is sufficient to buy a home in many mid-cost markets (Midwest, South, rural areas) but challenging in high-cost metros. A down payment of 5–20% would be required. Consult a mortgage broker for your specific situation and local market.