2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Arizona

$42 an Hour in Arizona — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $42/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $87,360. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Arizona state income tax, your take-home pay is $32.94/hr. In Arizona's medium cost-of-living environment, this is a comfortable living wage in Arizona.

Gross Annual

$87,360

Net Annual
$68,506

Net Monthly

$5,709

Net Hourly

$32.94

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $42.00 $9.06 $32.94

Daily (8 hrs) $336.00 $72.51 $263.49

Weekly (40 hrs) $1,680.00 $362.57 $1,317.43

Biweekly $3,360.00 $725.14 $2,634.86

Monthly $7,280.00 $1,571.15 $5,708.86

Annual $87,360 $18,854 $68,506

Full Tax Breakdown — Arizona, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $42/hr × 2,080 hrs $87,360

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $71,260

Federal Income Tax 11.9% −$10,389.20

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$5,416.32

Medicare (1.45%) −$1,266.72

Arizona Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Arizona State Income Tax 2.0% −$1,781.50

Total Tax 21.6% effective −$18,853.74

Net Take-Home $68,506

How Does Arizona Compare?

See how $42/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $4,183.06 $5,509/mo $66,105 Florida None $5,857/mo $70,288 New York $4,212.41 $5,506/mo $66,075 Texas None $5,857/mo $70,288 Washington None $5,857/mo $70,288

Open Full Calculator for Arizona — $42/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$42/hr = $87,360/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Arizona

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Arizona

✓ Comfortable — $42/hr covers costs in Arizona

Avg 1BR rent in Phoenix: $1,350/mo — within budget (19% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Arizona: $42,000/yr
Your net annual: $68,506 ($26,506 above comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$42/hr

Working at $42/hr in Arizona

Arizona's combination of low flat-rate income tax (2.5%), no inheritance tax, and lower housing costs than California make this wage genuinely rewarding. TSMC and Intel's Chandler campus have elevated wages in this tier significantly since 2022.

At $42/hr, you work roughly 41 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Phoenix ($1,350/mo) -- that's within the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 2.9x Arizona's minimum wage of $14.7/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $42/hr in Arizona is 21.6% -- federal income tax accounts for 11.9%, FICA 7.6%, and Arizona state tax 2.0%.

Arizona's economy has grown rapidly, led by semiconductor manufacturing (TSMC's Phoenix fab), real estate, tourism, and healthcare. The Phoenix metro is one of the fastest-growing job markets in the US.

Arizona simplified to a flat 2.5% income tax rate in 2023 — one of the lowest flat rates in the country. This means workers at all income levels pay the same low effective state rate.

Arizona's minimum wage is $14.70/hr (2026), adjusted annually for inflation.

Monthly Budget on $42/hr in Arizona

Based on $5,709/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Arizona's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $1,350 $16,200 23.6%

Food (groceries + dining) $685 $8,220 12.0%

Transportation $571 $6,852 10.0%

Utilities $343 $4,116 6.0%

Healthcare $285 $3,420 5.0%

Entertainment $285 $3,420 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $571 $6,852 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $1,619 $19,428 28.4%

Overtime Pay — $42/hr in Arizona

At time-and-a-half ($63.00/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Arizona. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~25.9%.

5 hrs/week $315 $233 $11,650

10 hrs/week $630 $467 $23,350

20 hrs/week $1,260 $933 $46,650

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $42/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $32.94 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 1.2 hrs 1.6 hrs

Week of groceries $120 2.9 hrs 3.7 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 19.1 hrs 24.3 hrs

1 month rent (Phoenix) $1,350 32.2 hrs 41 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 238.1 hrs 303.7 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 1142.9 hrs 1457.4 hrs

What Jobs Pay $42/hr in Arizona?

At $42/hour, you earn 83% above the estimated median hourly wage in Arizona. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

registered nurse, software developer, financial analyst, physician assistant, UX designer, database administrator

These figures reflect statewide averages for Arizona. The Phoenix metro area typically pays 12% 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 42/hr, you are in a strong financial position in Arizona. Your net annual income of $68,506 exceeds the estimated comfortable living threshold of $42,000 by $26,506, giving you real room to save and invest.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Arizona

The $42/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Arizona. The Phoenix metro area generally commands a 12% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 6% less.

Phoenix metro$47/hr+12%Higher pay, higher COL

Arizona average$42/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Arizona$39.5/hr-6%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Arizona 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 $42/hr in Arizona

Saving $571/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,0006 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$9,70217 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$19,40434 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00015 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,00044 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$6,30012 months10% on a starter home in Arizona

Your monthly budget surplus of $1,619 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 $42/hr in Arizona

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($856/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$8566 months

Student loan$30,000$85636 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 $42/hr

Contributing 6% ($5,242/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $1,284 in taxes at your 24.5% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $3,958/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $5,242 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $6,852/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$34,260$36,316$2,056 interest

10 years$68,520$72,837$4,317 interest

20 years$137,040$146,907$9,867 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $42/hr in Arizona?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,540 to your annual net take-home in Arizona after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 25.9%, so you keep 74.0% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$43/hr$1,540$128

5% raise$44.1/hr$3,235$270

10% raise$46.2/hr$6,469$539

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 42 an hour a good wage in Arizona?

42/hr in Arizona gives you $68,506/year after taxes -- a comfortable living wage in Arizona. Avg 1BR rent in Phoenix: $1,350/month (within the 30% rule). It places you 83% above the estimated state median wage.

What is 42 an hour after taxes in Arizona?

42/hr in Arizona = $68,506/year or $5,709/month net. Effective tax rate: 21.6%, made up of 11.9% federal, 7.6% FICA, and 2.0% Arizona state tax.

What jobs pay 42 an hour in Arizona?

Common roles at 42/hr in Arizona include registered nurse, software developer, financial analyst. Metro areas like Phoenix typically pay 12% more for the same role.

How does 42/hr go further -- Arizona or Texas?

42/hr in Arizona has similar purchasing power to ~42/hr in Texas. Arizona state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 42/hr in Arizona?

Saving $571/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $9,702 in 17 months. A 6-month fund takes 34 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 42/hr in Arizona?

A 6% contribution ($5,242/year) saves $1,284 in taxes at your 24.5% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $3,958/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 42/hr in Arizona?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,540/year to your net take-home in Arizona after the 25.9% marginal tax rate. You keep 74.0% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 42/hr in Arizona?

At 42/hr in Arizona, your total effective tax rate is 21.6%: federal income tax 11.9%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Arizona state tax 2.0%. You keep 78.4% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Phoenix on 42/hr?

The average 1BR in Phoenix is $1,350/month. At 42/hr, rent consumes 19% of your gross monthly pay -- within the recommended 30% ceiling. Your net hourly rate of $32.94 means you work 41 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 42/hr look like as an annual salary?

42/hr times 2,080 hours equals $87,360/year gross. After all taxes in Arizona, your net annual income is $68,506 -- an effective take-home rate of 78.4%.