2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Missouri

$21 an Hour in Missouri — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $21/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $43,680. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Missouri state income tax, your take-home pay is $17.29/hr. In Missouri's low cost-of-living environment, this is enough to get by in Missouri, though budget carefully.

Gross Annual

$43,680

Net Annual
$35,953

Net Monthly

$2,996

Net Hourly

$17.29

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $21.00 $3.71 $17.29

Daily (8 hrs) $168.00 $29.72 $138.28

Weekly (40 hrs) $840.00 $148.60 $691.40

Biweekly $1,680.00 $297.19 $1,382.81

Monthly $3,640.00 $643.91 $2,996.09

Annual $43,680 $7,727 $35,953

Full Tax Breakdown — Missouri, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $21/hr × 2,080 hrs $43,680

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $27,580

Federal Income Tax 7.0% −$3,061.60

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$2,708.16

Medicare (1.45%) −$633.36

Missouri Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Missouri State Income Tax 3.0% −$1,323.84

Total Tax 17.7% effective −$7,726.96

Net Take-Home $35,953

How Does Missouri Compare?

See how $21/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $921.58 $3,030/mo $36,355 Florida None $3,106/mo $37,277 New York $1,657.13 $2,968/mo $35,620 Texas None $3,106/mo $37,277 Washington None $3,106/mo $37,277

Open Full Calculator for Missouri — $21/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$21/hr = $43,680/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Missouri

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Missouri

⚠ Tight — $21/hr is borderline in Missouri

Avg 1BR rent in Kansas City: $950/mo — within budget (26% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Missouri: $33,000/yr
Your net annual: $35,953 ($2,953 above comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$26.7/hr

Working at $21/hr in Missouri

This is a comfortable income in Missouri. Kansas City's growing tech and finance sectors create upward mobility. The flat tax structure is predictable, and the low COL means take-home translates directly into quality of life.

At $21/hr, you work roughly 55 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Kansas City ($950/mo) -- that's within the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.5x Missouri's minimum wage of $13.75/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $21/hr in Missouri is 17.7% -- federal income tax accounts for 7.0%, FICA 7.6%, and Missouri state tax 3.0%.

Missouri has a diversified economy including finance (Edward Jones, Citi operations in St. Louis), healthcare (BJC HealthCare, SSM Health), agriculture, manufacturing, and a growing tech scene in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Missouri has a flat 4.8% income tax rate (reduced from a graduated system). The state mirrors the federal standard deduction.

Missouri's minimum wage is $13.75/hr (2026), indexed to inflation.

Monthly Budget on $21/hr in Missouri

Based on $2,996/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Missouri's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $950 $11,400 31.7%

Food (groceries + dining) $360 $4,320 12.0%

Transportation $300 $3,600 10.0%

Utilities $180 $2,160 6.0%

Healthcare $150 $1,800 5.0%

Entertainment $150 $1,800 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $300 $3,600 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $606 $7,272 20.2%

Overtime Pay — $21/hr in Missouri

At time-and-a-half ($31.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Missouri. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~18.3%.

5 hrs/week $158 $129 $6,450

10 hrs/week $315 $258 $12,900

20 hrs/week $630 $515 $25,750

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $21/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $17.29 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 2.4 hrs 2.9 hrs

Week of groceries $120 5.8 hrs 7 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 38.1 hrs 46.3 hrs

1 month rent (Kansas City) $950 45.3 hrs 55 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 476.2 hrs 578.6 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 2285.8 hrs 2777 hrs

What Jobs Pay $21/hr in Missouri?

At $21/hour, you earn 11% above the estimated median hourly wage in Missouri. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

dental assistant, paralegal assistant, HVAC apprentice, bookkeeper, pharmacy technician, surgical technician

These figures reflect statewide averages for Missouri. The Kansas City 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 21/hr in Missouri, you are earning a functional wage but have limited financial cushion. Your $35,953 net income is close to the $33,000 comfortable living threshold -- deliberate budgeting is essential.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Missouri

The $21/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Missouri. The Kansas City metro area generally commands a 8% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 4% less.

Kansas City metro$22.7/hr+8%Higher pay, higher COL

Missouri average$21/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Missouri$20.2/hr-4%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Missouri 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 $21/hr in Missouri

Saving $300/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,00010 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$5,82020 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$11,64039 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00027 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,00084 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$4,95017 months10% on a starter home in Missouri

Your monthly budget surplus of $606 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 $21/hr in Missouri

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($449/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$44912 months

Student loan$30,000$44967 months

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 $21/hr

Contributing 6% ($2,621/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $440 in taxes at your 16.8% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $2,181/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $2,621 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $3,600/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$18,000$19,080$1,080 interest

10 years$36,000$38,268$2,268 interest

20 years$72,000$77,184$5,184 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $21/hr in Missouri?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,700 to your annual net take-home in Missouri after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 18.3%, so you keep 81.8% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$22/hr$1,700$142

5% raise$22.1/hr$1,870$156

10% raise$23.1/hr$3,571$298

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 21 an hour a good wage in Missouri?

21/hr in Missouri gives you $35,953/year after taxes -- enough to get by in Missouri, though budget carefully. Avg 1BR rent in Kansas City: $950/month (within the 30% rule). It places you 11% above the estimated state median wage.

What is 21 an hour after taxes in Missouri?

21/hr in Missouri = $35,953/year or $2,996/month net. Effective tax rate: 17.7%, made up of 7.0% federal, 7.6% FICA, and 3.0% Missouri state tax.

What jobs pay 21 an hour in Missouri?

Common roles at 21/hr in Missouri include dental assistant, LPN, IT support specialist. Metro areas like Kansas City typically pay 8% more for the same role.

How does 21/hr go further -- Missouri or Texas?

21/hr in Missouri has similar purchasing power to ~26.7/hr in Texas. Missouri state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 21/hr in Missouri?

Saving $300/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $5,820 in 20 months. A 6-month fund takes 39 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 21/hr in Missouri?

A 6% contribution ($2,621/year) saves $440 in taxes at your 16.8% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $2,181/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 21/hr in Missouri?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,700/year to your net take-home in Missouri after the 18.3% marginal tax rate. You keep 81.8% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 21/hr in Missouri?

At 21/hr in Missouri, your total effective tax rate is 17.7%: federal income tax 7.0%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Missouri state tax 3.0%. You keep 82.3% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Kansas City on 21/hr?

The average 1BR in Kansas City is $950/month. At 21/hr, rent consumes 26% of your gross monthly pay -- within the recommended 30% ceiling. Your net hourly rate of $17.29 means you work 55 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 21/hr look like as an annual salary?

21/hr times 2,080 hours equals $43,680/year gross. After all taxes in Missouri, your net annual income is $35,953 -- an effective take-home rate of 82.3%.