$17 an Hour: What It Means
At $17 an hour, your annual gross income comes to $35,360. This rate places you solidly in the entry-level professional range and is common for EMTs, payroll clerks, and technical assistants. With targeted upskilling such as industry certifications or community college courses, moving into the $20+ range is very achievable.Quick math: $17/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $35,360 gross annual income before taxes.
$17/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $17 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $35,360 | $5,505 | $29,855 |
| Monthly | $2,947 | $459 | $2,488 |
| Bi-Weekly | $1,360 | $212 | $1,148 |
| Weekly | $680 | $106 | $574 |
| Daily | $136 | $21 | $115 |
| Hourly | $17 | $3 | $14 |
$17/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $17/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,360 | $6,513 | $28,847 | 18.4% |
| Alaska | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| Arizona | $35,360 | $5,429 | $29,931 | 15.4% |
| Arkansas | $35,360 | $6,239 | $29,121 | 17.6% |
| California | $35,360 | $5,505 | $29,855 | 15.6% |
| Colorado | $35,360 | $5,806 | $29,554 | 16.4% |
| Connecticut | $35,360 | $6,251 | $29,109 | 17.7% |
| Delaware | $35,360 | $6,305 | $29,055 | 17.8% |
| District of Columbia | $35,360 | $5,955 | $29,405 | 16.8% |
| Florida | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| Georgia | $35,360 | $6,192 | $29,168 | 17.5% |
| Hawaii | $35,360 | $6,960 | $28,400 | 19.7% |
| Idaho | $35,360 | $6,114 | $29,246 | 17.3% |
| Illinois | $35,360 | $6,523 | $28,837 | 18.4% |
| Indiana | $35,360 | $5,988 | $29,372 | 16.9% |
| Iowa | $35,360 | $6,253 | $29,107 | 17.7% |
| Kansas | $35,360 | $6,268 | $29,092 | 17.7% |
| Kentucky | $35,360 | $6,198 | $29,162 | 17.5% |
| Louisiana | $35,360 | $5,941 | $29,419 | 16.8% |
| Maine | $35,360 | $6,114 | $29,246 | 17.3% |
| Maryland | $35,360 | $6,416 | $28,944 | 18.1% |
| Massachusetts | $35,360 | $6,458 | $28,902 | 18.3% |
| Michigan | $35,360 | $6,175 | $29,185 | 17.5% |
| Minnesota | $35,360 | $6,022 | $29,338 | 17.0% |
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $5,994 | $29,366 | 17.0% |
| Missouri | $35,360 | $5,736 | $29,624 | 16.2% |
| Montana | $35,360 | $5,889 | $29,471 | 16.7% |
| Nebraska | $35,360 | $5,600 | $29,760 | 15.8% |
| Nevada | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| New Hampshire | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| New Jersey | $35,360 | $5,465 | $29,895 | 15.5% |
| New Mexico | $35,360 | $5,647 | $29,713 | 16.0% |
| New York | $35,360 | $6,297 | $29,063 | 17.8% |
| North Carolina | $35,360 | $5,927 | $29,433 | 16.8% |
| North Dakota | $35,360 | $5,315 | $30,045 | 15.0% |
| Ohio | $35,360 | $5,165 | $30,195 | 14.6% |
| Oklahoma | $35,360 | $6,099 | $29,261 | 17.2% |
| Oregon | $35,360 | $7,479 | $27,881 | 21.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $35,360 | $5,995 | $29,365 | 17.0% |
| Rhode Island | $35,360 | $5,840 | $29,520 | 16.5% |
| South Carolina | $35,360 | $5,545 | $29,815 | 15.7% |
| South Dakota | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| Tennessee | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| Texas | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| Utah | $35,360 | $6,554 | $28,806 | 18.5% |
| Vermont | $35,360 | $5,858 | $29,502 | 16.6% |
| Virginia | $35,360 | $6,427 | $28,933 | 18.2% |
| Washington | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
| West Virginia | $35,360 | $5,985 | $29,375 | 16.9% |
| Wisconsin | $35,360 | $5,755 | $29,605 | 16.3% |
| Wyoming | $35,360 | $4,910 | $30,450 | 13.9% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $17/Hour
At $17/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $25.50/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $13,260 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $17 an Hour Good?
At $17 per hour, earning $35,360 per year, you are earning a good entry-level wage that provides genuine financial stability in most mid-range cost-of-living areas. This rate reflects real skills and positions you well for advancement. Many workers at this level move to $20+ within a couple of years.Jobs That Pay $17/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $17.
Tips to Make the Most of $17/Hour
To grow beyond $17 an hour, you are at the perfect point to make a strategic move. Advancing your EMT certification to paramedic level can double your pay. Payroll clerks who earn their Fundamental Payroll Certification typically see $3-5/hour increases. In any field, moving into a team lead or coordinator role is a reliable path to $20-25/hour.$17/Hour FAQ
$17 an hour equals $35,360 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, $17/hour typically results in about $27,581-$30,056 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 $17/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 $17/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 $17/hour ($35,360/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.