Salary Calculator
Convert between hourly, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, and annual salary.
Salary Conversion Formulas
Understanding Salary Conversions
When comparing job offers or planning your finances, understanding how salaries translate across different pay periods is essential. Our salary calculator instantly converts between hourly, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, and annual pay.
Whether you're an hourly worker calculating annual income or a salaried employee figuring out your hourly rate, this tool makes compensation comparisons simple and accurate.
Any Pay Period
Convert between 7 different pay period formats.
Custom Hours
Adjust for part-time or overtime schedules.
Side-by-Side View
See all conversions at once for easy comparison.
Accurate Math
Accounts for weeks per year and days per week.
Pay Period Comparison
Different companies use different pay schedules. Here's how they compare for an equivalent $52,000 annual salary.
| Pay Period | Frequency | Amount | Paychecks/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Per hour | $25.00 | 2,080 hours |
| Daily | Per day | $200.00 | 260 days |
| Weekly | Every week | $1,000.00 | 52 paychecks |
| Bi-weekly | Every 2 weeks | $2,000.00 | 26 paychecks |
| Semi-monthly | Twice a month | $2,166.67 | 24 paychecks |
| Monthly | Once a month | $4,333.33 | 12 paychecks |
Bi-weekly vs Semi-monthly
These two pay schedules are often confused but work quite differently.
Bi-weekly Pay
Paid every two weeks (26 paychecks/year). Twice a year you get three paychecks in a month. Common for hourly workers.
Semi-monthly Pay
Paid twice a month on set dates like 1st and 15th (24 paychecks/year). Each paycheck is slightly larger. Common for salaried workers.
Budget Impact
Bi-weekly gives two 'bonus' months with extra paychecks. Semi-monthly provides consistent monthly budgeting with equal halves.
Conversion Tip
To convert bi-weekly to semi-monthly: multiply by 26, divide by 24. A $2,000 bi-weekly check equals $2,166.67 semi-monthly.
Evaluating Job Offers
When comparing job offers, convert all salaries to the same period (usually annual) and consider total compensation.
Base Salary
Convert to annual for comparison. Remember: a $30/hour job with 40 hours/week is $62,400 annually, not $60,000 (52 weeks, not 50).
Benefits Value
Health insurance can be worth $5,000-20,000 annually. A lower salary with better benefits may be worth more overall.
Retirement Match
A 401(k) match is free money. A 4% match on a $60,000 salary is worth $2,400/year—factor this into your comparison.
Commute Costs
A longer commute costs money (gas, parking, wear) and time. A $5,000 salary difference might not cover a 30-minute longer commute.
Growth Potential
A lower starting salary with faster advancement may pay more over 5 years than a higher salary at a stagnant company.
Work-Life Balance
A $70,000 job requiring 60 hours/week pays $22.44/hour. A $55,000 job at 40 hours pays $26.44/hour—and gives you 20 hours of life back.
Understanding True Hourly Rate
Your true hourly rate considers all work-related time, not just hours at the office.
Salaried 'Hourly' Rate
A $60,000 salary with 50-hour weeks is $23.08/hour, not $28.85. Include unpaid overtime when calculating your true rate.
Commute Time
If you include commute in work time, a 45-minute each way commute adds 7.5 hours/week. That $28.85/hour becomes $24.25/hour.
Work Expenses
Professional clothing, lunches, parking, and other work expenses reduce your effective hourly rate. Track these costs.
Remote Work Value
Remote work eliminates commute time and expenses. A $5,000 'pay cut' for remote work may actually increase your effective hourly rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert hourly to annual salary?
Multiply hourly rate by hours per week, then by 52 weeks. Example: $25/hour × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $52,000 annually. For part-time or different schedules, adjust the hours per week accordingly.
What's the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly?
Bi-weekly is every two weeks (26 pay periods/year), while semi-monthly is twice per month on fixed dates (24 pay periods/year). Bi-weekly checks are smaller but you get two extra per year.
How many work hours in a year?
Standard full-time is 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks). With vacation and holidays, actual work hours might be 1,920-2,000. Some use 2,000 for easier math.
Should I compare jobs by hourly rate or annual salary?
Convert to hourly rate for the truest comparison, especially if hours differ. A $70,000 job at 50 hours/week ($26.92/hour) pays less per hour than $60,000 at 40 hours ($28.85/hour).
How do I account for unpaid time off?
Reduce weeks per year from 52. Two weeks unpaid vacation means 50 paid weeks. Hourly: $25 × 40 × 50 = $50,000, not $52,000.
Is salary or hourly better?
Neither is universally better. Salary offers predictability and often better benefits. Hourly guarantees overtime pay for extra hours. Choose based on your work pattern and employer's practices.
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