How the number is calculated
$21 × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $43,680
A full-time US job is usually counted as 40 hours a week and 52 weeks a year, or 2,080 paid hours. Multiplying $21 by 2,080 gives the gross yearly pay. If your two weeks of vacation are unpaid, use 50 weeks instead: $42,000 a year.
$21 an hour at different schedules
| Hours a week | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $420.00 | $1,820.00 | $21,840 |
| 25 hours | $525.00 | $2,275.00 | $27,300 |
| 30 hours | $630.00 | $2,730.00 | $32,760 |
| 32 hours | $672.00 | $2,912.00 | $34,944 |
| 35 hours | $735.00 | $3,185.00 | $38,220 |
| 37.5 hours | $787.50 | $3,412.50 | $40,950 |
| 40 hours | $840.00 | $3,640.00 | $43,680 |
| 45 hours | $945.00 | $4,095.00 | $49,140 |
| 50 hours | $1,050.00 | $4,550.00 | $54,600 |
Overtime at $21 an hour
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees earn at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. At $21 an hour, that is $31.50 per overtime hour. Five overtime hours a week add $157.50 a week, or about $8,190 a year.
A 50/30/20 budget on $21 an hour
The 50/30/20 rule splits take-home pay into needs, wants and savings. Taxes depend on your state, filing status and benefits, so the split below uses gross pay of $3,640 a month as a starting point. Use the 50/30/20 budget calculator with your actual take-home pay.
| Category | Share | Monthly (gross) |
|---|---|---|
| Needs | 50% | $1,820 |
| Wants | 30% | $1,092 |
| Savings and debt | 20% | $728 |
$21 an hour is 2.9 times the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Many states and cities set a higher minimum, so check your state labor department for the local rate.
Want a different rate or schedule? Try the salary to hourly calculator.