2026 · Single Filer · 40 hrs/week · 52 weeks

$15.50 an Hour is How Much a Year?

$15.50/hour works out to $32,240/year gross (40 hrs × 52 weeks). After federal income tax and FICA, a single filer with no state income tax takes home $28,085/year — or $2,340/month.

Annual Take-Home (no state tax)

$28,085

$13.50/hr net · $2,340/month

Gross Annual

$32,240

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $15.50 $2.00 $13.50

Daily (8 hrs) $124.00 $15.98 $108.02

Weekly (40 hrs) $620.00 $79.91 $540.09

Bi-weekly $1,240.00 $159.81 $1,080.19

Monthly $2,686.67 $346.26 $2,340.40

Quarterly $8,060.00 $1,038.79 $7,021.21

Annual $32,240 $4,155 $28,085

Federal Tax Breakdown (Single Filer, 2026)

Gross Income—$32,240

Standard DeductionSingle−$16,100

Federal Taxable Income—$16,140

Federal Income Tax5.2%−$1,689

Social Security6.2%−$1,999

Medicare1.45%−$467

Net Take-Home87.1% kept$28,085

$15.50/Hour Take-Home by State

State income tax changes your net pay significantly. Here's how $15.50/hour compares across popular states:

TexasNo tax — $28,085 $2,340 $13.50/hr California $464 $27,621 $2,302 $13.28/hr New York $1,010 $27,075 $2,256 $13.02/hr FloridaNo tax — $28,085 $2,340 $13.50/hr WashingtonNo tax — $28,085 $2,340 $13.50/hr Illinois $1,596 $26,489 $2,207 $12.74/hr Colorado $710 $27,375 $2,281 $13.16/hr Oregon $2,296 $25,789 $2,149 $12.40/hr

→ See all 50 states for $32,240/year

Ways to Keep More of $15.50/Hour

Contribute to a 401(k). Traditional 401k contributions reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. At $15.50/hr, contributing even $100/paycheck can drop your effective federal rate.
Use an HSA if eligible. HSA contributions are pre-tax, reducing both federal income tax and FICA. Triple tax advantage.
Live in a no-tax state. Moving from California to Texas on $15.50/hr saves $464/year in state income tax alone.
File as head of household if you qualify — you get a larger standard deduction ($21,900 vs $14,600) and wider low brackets.
Negotiate your rate. Even $1/hr more = $2,080/year gross. Use the calculator to see your exact net gain.

See your exact take-home for any state

Adjust for your state, filing status, and overtime using the full calculator.

Open $15.50/hr in Calculator →

Similar Hourly Rates

What Jobs Pay $15.50 an Hour?

Common occupations that typically earn around $15.50/hour:

Retail Supervisor

Food Service Manager

Home Health Aide

Office Clerk

Pay varies by location, experience, and employer. Use the calculator above to see your exact net pay.

See $15.50/Hour After Tax by State

Frequently Asked Questions

$15.50 an hour is how much a year?

$15.50 × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $32,240 gross per year. After federal income tax and FICA (single filer), take-home is approximately $28,085/year in a state with no income tax.

$15.50 an hour is how much a month?

Gross: $2,686.67/month. Net after federal tax and FICA (no state tax, single filer): $2,340/month.

$15.50 an hour is how much biweekly?

Gross: $1,240.00/paycheck (26 paychecks/year). Net after federal taxes (no state tax): approximately $1,080/paycheck.

Is $15.50 an hour a good wage?

$15.50/hour ($32,240/year) is below the US median. It works in low cost-of-living areas but is challenging in most cities without supplemental income or shared housing.

What jobs pay $15.50 an hour?

Jobs that typically pay around $15.50/hour include: Retail Supervisor, Food Service Manager, Home Health Aide, Office Clerk. Exact pay varies by location, experience, and employer.

How much is $15.50 an hour after taxes in Texas?

In Texas (no state income tax), $15.50/hour nets $28,085/year or $2,340/month after federal income tax and FICA.

How much is $15.50 an hour after taxes in California?

In California, $15.50/hour nets approximately $27,621/year after federal tax, FICA, and California state income tax.