$15 an Hour: What It Means
Making $15 an hour means earning $31,200 annually before deductions. The $15 mark has become a widely discussed wage floor, and many states and cities have adopted it as their minimum wage. At this rate, you have a solid foundation to build on, especially if you pursue additional training or credentials.Quick math: $15/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $31,200 gross annual income before taxes.
$15/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $15 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $31,200 | $4,521 | $26,679 |
| Monthly | $2,600 | $377 | $2,223 |
| Bi-Weekly | $1,200 | $174 | $1,026 |
| Weekly | $600 | $87 | $513 |
| Daily | $120 | $17 | $103 |
| Hourly | $15 | $2 | $13 |
$15/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $15/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,200 | $5,487 | $25,713 | 17.6% |
| Alaska | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| Arizona | $31,200 | $4,507 | $26,693 | 14.4% |
| Arkansas | $31,200 | $5,239 | $25,961 | 16.8% |
| California | $31,200 | $4,521 | $26,679 | 14.5% |
| Colorado | $31,200 | $4,805 | $26,395 | 15.4% |
| Connecticut | $31,200 | $5,246 | $25,954 | 16.8% |
| Delaware | $31,200 | $5,257 | $25,943 | 16.8% |
| District of Columbia | $31,200 | $4,888 | $26,312 | 15.7% |
| Florida | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| Georgia | $31,200 | $5,146 | $26,054 | 16.5% |
| Hawaii | $31,200 | $5,826 | $25,374 | 18.7% |
| Idaho | $31,200 | $5,055 | $26,145 | 16.2% |
| Illinois | $31,200 | $5,499 | $25,701 | 17.6% |
| Indiana | $31,200 | $5,044 | $26,156 | 16.2% |
| Iowa | $31,200 | $5,278 | $25,922 | 16.9% |
| Kansas | $31,200 | $5,224 | $25,976 | 16.7% |
| Kentucky | $31,200 | $5,214 | $25,986 | 16.7% |
| Louisiana | $31,200 | $4,978 | $26,222 | 16.0% |
| Maine | $31,200 | $5,055 | $26,145 | 16.2% |
| Maryland | $31,200 | $5,401 | $25,799 | 17.3% |
| Massachusetts | $31,200 | $5,432 | $25,768 | 17.4% |
| Michigan | $31,200 | $5,180 | $26,020 | 16.6% |
| Minnesota | $31,200 | $4,982 | $26,218 | 16.0% |
| Mississippi | $31,200 | $4,981 | $26,219 | 16.0% |
| Missouri | $31,200 | $4,719 | $26,481 | 15.1% |
| Montana | $31,200 | $4,872 | $26,328 | 15.6% |
| Nebraska | $31,200 | $4,636 | $26,564 | 14.9% |
| Nevada | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| New Hampshire | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| New Jersey | $31,200 | $4,568 | $26,632 | 14.6% |
| New Mexico | $31,200 | $4,626 | $26,574 | 14.8% |
| New York | $31,200 | $5,236 | $25,964 | 16.8% |
| North Carolina | $31,200 | $4,923 | $26,277 | 15.8% |
| North Dakota | $31,200 | $4,416 | $26,784 | 14.2% |
| Ohio | $31,200 | $4,234 | $26,966 | 13.6% |
| Oklahoma | $31,200 | $5,084 | $26,116 | 16.3% |
| Oregon | $31,200 | $6,297 | $24,903 | 20.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $31,200 | $5,050 | $26,150 | 16.2% |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | $4,867 | $26,333 | 15.6% |
| South Carolina | $31,200 | $4,486 | $26,714 | 14.4% |
| South Dakota | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| Tennessee | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| Texas | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| Utah | $31,200 | $5,543 | $25,657 | 17.8% |
| Vermont | $31,200 | $4,901 | $26,299 | 15.7% |
| Virginia | $31,200 | $5,370 | $25,830 | 17.2% |
| Washington | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
| West Virginia | $31,200 | $5,020 | $26,180 | 16.1% |
| Wisconsin | $31,200 | $4,754 | $26,446 | 15.2% |
| Wyoming | $31,200 | $4,092 | $27,108 | 13.1% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $15/Hour
At $15/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $22.50/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $11,700 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $15 an Hour Good?
At $15 per hour, your $31,200 annual income hits the widely discussed living wage benchmark. In many parts of the country, this provides enough to cover rent, food, transportation, and basic savings. It is a good wage for entry-level work and positions you well for continued growth.Jobs That Pay $15/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $15.
Tips to Make the Most of $15/Hour
To move beyond $15 an hour, identify the highest-value skills in your field and pursue them deliberately. In healthcare, advancing from medical receptionist to billing specialist or coder can add $3-7/hour. In trades, moving from helper to apprentice to journeyman creates a clear $20-35/hour trajectory. Industry-specific certifications consistently provide the best return on investment.$15/Hour FAQ
$15 an hour equals $31,200 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, $15/hour typically results in about $24,336-$26,520 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 $15/hour is possible in lower cost-of-living areas with careful budgeting. In more expensive cities, you may need a roommate or supplemental income. Many workers at this rate are building toward higher-paying positions through experience and training.
Jobs paying around $15/hour include bank tellers, pharmacy technicians, dental assistants, veterinary assistants, and office clerks. These roles often require some training or certification and offer clear paths to higher-paying positions.
At $15/hour ($31,200/year), you are approaching the lower end of the middle-class income range. The middle class is generally defined as earning between roughly $30,000-$90,000 for a single earner, depending on your area's cost of living.