$15 an hour = $31,200 per year (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks). After taxes (single filer, 2026): $27,108 take-home in Texas/Florida — that's $1,043 bi-weekly or $2,259/month. In California: $25,860/year. In New York: $25,392/year.
$15 an Hour is How Much a Year?
$15/hour = $31,200/year before taxes. Here's your complete take-home breakdown after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax — for every pay period and all major states.
$15/hour — Before & After Taxes
Net shown for Texas / no-state-income-tax · single filer · 2026
| Period | Gross Pay | Take-Home (TX) |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly (2080 hrs) | $31,200 | $27,108 |
| Monthly (avg) | $2,600 | $2,259 |
| Bi-Weekly (80 hrs) | $1,200 | $1,043 |
| Weekly (40 hrs) | $600 | $521 |
| Daily (8 hrs) | $120 | $104 |
| Per Hour | $15 | $13 |
$15/hour — Annual Income by Hours Worked
Gross and after-tax (TX) for different weekly hours including part-time and overtime
| Hours/Week | Annual Gross | Annual Net (TX) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs/week | $15,600 | $14,347 |
| 25 hrs/week | $19,500 | $17,558 |
| 30 hrs/week | $23,400 | $20,770 |
| 35 hrs/week | $27,300 | $23,974 |
| 40 hrs/week | $31,200 | $27,108 |
| 45 hrs/week | $35,100 | $30,241 |
| 50 hrs/week | $39,000 | $33,375 |
$15/hour After Taxes by State
Single filer · 40 hrs/week · standard deduction only · 2026
| State | State Tax | Annual Net | Bi-Weekly | All-in Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | No state tax | $27,108 | $1,043 | 13.1% |
| Florida | No state tax | $27,108 | $1,043 | 13.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% flat | $26,150 | $1,006 | 16.2% |
| Illinois | 4.95% flat | $25,563 | $983 | 18.1% |
| Georgia | 5.49% | $25,395 | $977 | 18.6% |
| New York | Up to 10.9% | $25,392 | $977 | 18.6% |
| California | Up to 13.3% | $25,860 | $995 | 17.1% |
| Oregon | Up to 9.9% | $25,002 | $962 | 19.9% |
Customize Your Calculation
Is $15 an Hour a Good Wage?
$15 an hour is below the US median wage but livable in low-cost areas. $15/hr ($31,200/yr) is below the US median hourly wage (~$22/hr). It is livable as a single person in low cost-of-living areas (rural Midwest, parts of the South) but tight in most metro areas.
For context: the US federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr. The US median individual wage is approximately $22/hr (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). $15/hr is 47% below the US median ($22/hr). Social Security considers full retirement credits are earned at any wage above $7,078/quarter.
Monthly Budget at $15/hour (No State Tax, Single)
Based on $27,114/year take-home in a no-income-tax state ($2,260/month net)
| Expense Category | Suggested Budget | % of Net |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent/mortgage) | $678/mo | 30% |
| Food & groceries | $271/mo | 12% |
| Transportation | $339/mo | 15% |
| Healthcare (if no employer plan) | $158/mo | 7% |
| Remaining (savings, entertainment, etc.) | $813/mo | 36% |
Jobs That Pay $15 an Hour
Common jobs with hourly wages around $15/hr include: medical receptionist, veterinary assistant, retail supervisor, food delivery driver, childcare worker, administrative assistant. Wages vary by location, experience, and employer. Use a payroll tax calculator to see exact take-home for your state.
$15 an Hour After Taxes: Key States Compared
Your take-home at $15/hr varies significantly by state. Texas/Florida give you the most take-home ($27,114/yr) while high-tax states like California ($24,213/yr) and New York ($25,227/yr) take substantially more. The difference between living in Texas vs. New York at $15/hr is approximately $1,888/year in take-home pay.