$18 an Hour in Wyoming — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)
At $18/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $37,440. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (Wyoming has no state income tax), your take-home pay is $15.51/hr. In Wyoming's low cost-of-living environment, this is enough to get by in Wyoming, though budget carefully.
Pay Period Breakdown
Full Tax Breakdown — Wyoming, Single Filer
How Does Wyoming Compare?
See how $18/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:
Equivalent Annual Salary Pages
$18/hr = $37,440/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:
Adjacent Rates in Wyoming
Same Rate, Other States
Cost of Living in Wyoming
- Avg 1BR rent in Cheyenne: $950/mo — over the 30% rule (30% of gross monthly)
- Minimum comfortable income in Wyoming: $34,000/yr
- Your net annual: $32,263 ($1,737 below comfortable threshold)
- Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$22.2/hr
Working at $18/hr in Wyoming
Wyoming's zero income tax and low COL create strong purchasing power at this wage. The energy sector creates high-paying blue-collar employment well above this level. Remote workers choosing Wyoming enjoy the tax advantage combined with dramatic outdoor amenities.
At $18/hr, you work roughly 62 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Cheyenne ($950/mo) -- that's above the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 2.5x Wyoming's federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $18/hr in Wyoming is 13.8% -- federal income tax accounts for 6.2%, FICA 7.7% (no Wyoming state income tax).
Wyoming's economy is dominated by mineral extraction (coal, oil, natural gas, trona) and tourism (Yellowstone, Grand Teton). The state has the smallest population of any US state, creating a very tight labor market where skilled workers are consistently in demand.
Wyoming has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. Combined with no inheritance tax, Wyoming has one of the lowest overall tax burdens of any state. The state's government is funded primarily by mineral extraction taxes.
Wyoming follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Monthly Budget on $18/hr in Wyoming
Based on $2,689/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Wyoming's cost of living.
Overtime Pay — $18/hr in Wyoming
At time-and-a-half ($27.00/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Wyoming. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~13.5%.
Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $18/hr
How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $15.51 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.
What Jobs Pay $18/hr in Wyoming?
At $18/hour, you earn 5% below the estimated median hourly wage in Wyoming. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:
medical assistant, customer service rep, administrative assistant, delivery driver, phlebotomist, dental receptionist
These figures reflect statewide averages for Wyoming. The Cheyenne metro area typically pays 8% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.
At 18/hr in Wyoming, you are earning a functional wage but have limited financial cushion. Your $32,263 net income is close to the $34,000 comfortable living threshold -- deliberate budgeting is essential.
Geographic Wage Variation Within Wyoming
The $18/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Wyoming. The Cheyenne metro area generally commands a 8% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 4% less.
When choosing between metro and rural Wyoming at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.
Savings Goals at $18/hr in Wyoming
Saving $269/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:
Your monthly budget surplus of $449 means you can accelerate these timelines by directing extra cash beyond the 10% baseline. Automating transfers on payday is the most reliable way to stay consistent.
Debt Payoff on $18/hr in Wyoming
Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($403/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.
These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.
401(k) and Retirement at $18/hr
Contributing 6% ($2,246/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $270 in taxes at your 12.0% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $1,976/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $2,246 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.
Saving $3,228/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:
What Would a Raise Mean at $18/hr in Wyoming?
A $1/hr raise adds $1,800 to your annual net take-home in Wyoming after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 13.5%, so you keep 86.5% of every extra dollar earned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 18 an hour a good wage in Wyoming?
18/hr in Wyoming gives you $32,263/year after taxes -- enough to get by in Wyoming, though budget carefully. Avg 1BR rent in Cheyenne: $950/month (exceeds the 30% rule). It places you 5% below the estimated state median wage.
What is 18 an hour after taxes in Wyoming?
18/hr in Wyoming = $32,263/year or $2,689/month net. Effective tax rate: 13.8%, made up of 6.2% federal, 7.7% FICA (no Wyoming state income tax).
What jobs pay 18 an hour in Wyoming?
Common roles at 18/hr in Wyoming include medical assistant, administrative assistant, delivery driver. Metro areas like Cheyenne typically pay 8% more for the same role.
How does 18/hr go further -- Wyoming or Texas?
18/hr in Wyoming has similar purchasing power to ~22.2/hr in Texas. Wyoming also has no state income tax, like Texas.
How long to build an emergency fund at 18/hr in Wyoming?
Saving $269/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $5,511 in 21 months. A 6-month fund takes 41 months.
What does a 401(k) cost at 18/hr in Wyoming?
A 6% contribution ($2,246/year) saves $270 in taxes at your 12.0% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $1,976/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.
What does a $1/hr raise mean at 18/hr in Wyoming?
A $1/hr raise adds $1,800/year to your net take-home in Wyoming after the 13.5% marginal tax rate. You keep 86.5% of every additional dollar earned.
What is the effective tax rate at 18/hr in Wyoming?
At 18/hr in Wyoming, your total effective tax rate is 13.8%: federal income tax 6.2%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5% (no Wyoming state income tax). You keep 86.2% of every gross dollar.
Can you afford rent in Cheyenne on 18/hr?
The average 1BR in Cheyenne is $950/month. At 18/hr, rent consumes 30% of your gross monthly pay -- above the 30% affordability guideline. Your net hourly rate of $15.51 means you work 62 hours per month to cover rent.
What does 18/hr look like as an annual salary?
18/hr times 2,080 hours equals $37,440/year gross. After all taxes in Wyoming, your net annual income is $32,263 -- an effective take-home rate of 86.2%.