How the number is calculated
$20,000 ÷ (40 hours × 52 weeks) = $9.62 an hour
Salaried jobs are usually compared with hourly pay using 2,080 hours, the hours in a 40-hour week over a full year. If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower; the table below shows how much.
Real hourly rate by hours worked
| Hours a week | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 35 hours | $10.99 |
| 37.5 hours | $10.26 |
| 40 hours | $9.62 |
| 45 hours | $8.55 |
| 50 hours | $7.69 |
| 55 hours | $6.99 |
| 60 hours | $6.41 |
What a $20k salary can afford
A common guideline keeps rent at or below 30% of gross income: about $500 a month on $20,000. Lenders often use the 28% rule for a mortgage payment including taxes and insurance, which is about $467 a month. Run your own numbers with the mortgage calculator.
| 50/30/20 budget | Monthly (gross) |
|---|---|
| Needs (50%) | $833 |
| Wants (30%) | $500 |
| Savings and debt (20%) | $333 |
These are gross figures. Federal and state income tax, Social Security and Medicare (7.65% combined for employees) and benefits come out of each paycheck, so take-home pay is lower.
Convert any amount with the salary to hourly calculator.