$12 an Hour: What It Means
Making $12 an hour brings your annual earnings to $24,960 before taxes. This rate has become a starting wage benchmark for many large employers and represents the upper end of the minimum-wage bracket. Workers at this level are often one promotion or certification away from a significant pay bump.Quick math: $12/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $24,960 gross annual income before taxes.
$12/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $12 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $24,960 | $3,190 | $21,770 |
| Monthly | $2,080 | $266 | $1,814 |
| Bi-Weekly | $960 | $123 | $837 |
| Weekly | $480 | $61 | $419 |
| Daily | $96 | $12 | $84 |
| Hourly | $12 | $2 | $10 |
$12/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $12/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $24,960 | $3,988 | $20,972 | 16.0% |
| Alaska | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| Arizona | $24,960 | $3,164 | $21,796 | 12.7% |
| Arkansas | $24,960 | $3,778 | $21,182 | 15.1% |
| California | $24,960 | $3,190 | $21,770 | 12.8% |
| Colorado | $24,960 | $3,344 | $21,616 | 13.4% |
| Connecticut | $24,960 | $3,779 | $21,181 | 15.1% |
| Delaware | $24,960 | $3,735 | $21,225 | 15.0% |
| District of Columbia | $24,960 | $3,327 | $21,633 | 13.3% |
| Florida | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| Georgia | $24,960 | $3,617 | $21,343 | 14.5% |
| Hawaii | $24,960 | $4,170 | $20,790 | 16.7% |
| Idaho | $24,960 | $3,506 | $21,454 | 14.0% |
| Illinois | $24,960 | $4,004 | $20,956 | 16.0% |
| Indiana | $24,960 | $3,667 | $21,293 | 14.7% |
| Iowa | $24,960 | $3,854 | $21,106 | 15.4% |
| Kansas | $24,960 | $3,710 | $21,250 | 14.9% |
| Kentucky | $24,960 | $3,777 | $21,183 | 15.1% |
| Louisiana | $24,960 | $3,573 | $21,387 | 14.3% |
| Maine | $24,960 | $3,506 | $21,454 | 14.0% |
| Maryland | $24,960 | $3,917 | $21,043 | 15.7% |
| Massachusetts | $24,960 | $3,933 | $21,027 | 15.8% |
| Michigan | $24,960 | $3,728 | $21,232 | 14.9% |
| Minnesota | $24,960 | $3,461 | $21,499 | 13.9% |
| Mississippi | $24,960 | $3,500 | $21,460 | 14.0% |
| Missouri | $24,960 | $3,233 | $21,727 | 13.0% |
| Montana | $24,960 | $3,392 | $21,568 | 13.6% |
| Nebraska | $24,960 | $3,230 | $21,730 | 12.9% |
| Nevada | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| New Hampshire | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| New Jersey | $24,960 | $3,272 | $21,688 | 13.1% |
| New Mexico | $24,960 | $3,154 | $21,806 | 12.6% |
| New York | $24,960 | $3,684 | $21,276 | 14.8% |
| North Carolina | $24,960 | $3,455 | $21,505 | 13.8% |
| North Dakota | $24,960 | $3,107 | $21,853 | 12.4% |
| Ohio | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| Oklahoma | $24,960 | $3,601 | $21,359 | 14.4% |
| Oregon | $24,960 | $4,564 | $20,396 | 18.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $24,960 | $3,672 | $21,288 | 14.7% |
| Rhode Island | $24,960 | $3,446 | $21,514 | 13.8% |
| South Carolina | $24,960 | $3,112 | $21,848 | 12.5% |
| South Dakota | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| Tennessee | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| Texas | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| Utah | $24,960 | $4,066 | $20,894 | 16.3% |
| Vermont | $24,960 | $3,505 | $21,455 | 14.0% |
| Virginia | $24,960 | $3,824 | $21,136 | 15.3% |
| Washington | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
| West Virginia | $24,960 | $3,613 | $21,347 | 14.5% |
| Wisconsin | $24,960 | $3,316 | $21,644 | 13.3% |
| Wyoming | $24,960 | $2,905 | $22,055 | 11.6% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $12/Hour
At $12/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $18.00/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $9,360 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $12 an Hour Good?
$12 per hour puts your annual earnings at $24,960, which is a meaningful step above minimum wage. In affordable regions, this can provide basic financial stability. Many workers at this rate are positioned for quick advancement, as this is often the starting wage at companies that promote from within.Jobs That Pay $12/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $12.
Tips to Make the Most of $12/Hour
To move beyond $12 an hour, you are well positioned to leverage your work experience into higher-paying roles. Consider pursuing trade apprenticeships in plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, which start at $14-17/hour and quickly increase. Administrative or bookkeeping certifications can also move you to $15-19/hour in office settings.$12/Hour FAQ
$12 an hour equals $24,960 per year working full-time (40 hours/week, 52 weeks). This is the gross annual salary before any taxes or deductions.
After federal and state taxes, $12/hour typically results in about $19,469-$21,216 in annual take-home pay, depending on your state, filing status, and deductions. Use our calculator for a precise estimate based on your specific situation.
Living on $12/hour is difficult in most areas. You may need to share housing, limit discretionary spending, and look into government assistance programs. It is possible in the lowest cost-of-living areas with very careful budgeting, but most workers at this rate work toward earning more over time.
Common jobs paying around $12/hour include entry-level retail, food service, and service industry positions. Examples include cashiers, food prep workers, stockers, and cleaning staff. With additional training, you can move into higher-paying roles.
At $12/hour ($24,960/year), your income falls below the middle-class threshold, which is generally defined as roughly $30,000-$90,000 for a single earner depending on location. Building toward middle-class income is achievable through skill development and career advancement.