$18 an Hour: What It Means
Making $18 an hour brings your annual earnings to $37,440 before taxes. You are now earning above the national median for hourly workers without a college degree. This rate is common for licensed practical nurses, electrician apprentices, and automotive mechanics, reflecting genuine skill and training.Quick math: $18/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $37,440 gross annual income before taxes.
$18/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $18 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $37,440 | $5,997 | $31,443 |
| Monthly | $3,120 | $500 | $2,620 |
| Bi-Weekly | $1,440 | $231 | $1,209 |
| Weekly | $720 | $115 | $605 |
| Daily | $144 | $23 | $121 |
| Hourly | $18 | $3 | $15 |
$18/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $18/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,440 | $7,025 | $30,415 | 18.8% |
| Alaska | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| Arizona | $37,440 | $5,889 | $31,551 | 15.7% |
| Arkansas | $37,440 | $6,740 | $30,700 | 18.0% |
| California | $37,440 | $5,997 | $31,443 | 16.0% |
| Colorado | $37,440 | $6,306 | $31,134 | 16.8% |
| Connecticut | $37,440 | $6,753 | $30,687 | 18.0% |
| Delaware | $37,440 | $6,830 | $30,610 | 18.2% |
| District of Columbia | $37,440 | $6,489 | $30,951 | 17.3% |
| Florida | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| Georgia | $37,440 | $6,715 | $30,725 | 17.9% |
| Hawaii | $37,440 | $7,526 | $29,914 | 20.1% |
| Idaho | $37,440 | $6,643 | $30,797 | 17.7% |
| Illinois | $37,440 | $7,034 | $30,406 | 18.8% |
| Indiana | $37,440 | $6,460 | $30,980 | 17.3% |
| Iowa | $37,440 | $6,741 | $30,699 | 18.0% |
| Kansas | $37,440 | $6,796 | $30,644 | 18.2% |
| Kentucky | $37,440 | $6,690 | $30,750 | 17.9% |
| Louisiana | $37,440 | $6,423 | $31,017 | 17.2% |
| Maine | $37,440 | $6,643 | $30,797 | 17.7% |
| Maryland | $37,440 | $6,923 | $30,517 | 18.5% |
| Massachusetts | $37,440 | $6,970 | $30,470 | 18.6% |
| Michigan | $37,440 | $6,672 | $30,768 | 17.8% |
| Minnesota | $37,440 | $6,542 | $30,898 | 17.5% |
| Mississippi | $37,440 | $6,500 | $30,940 | 17.4% |
| Missouri | $37,440 | $6,245 | $31,195 | 16.7% |
| Montana | $37,440 | $6,420 | $31,020 | 17.1% |
| Nebraska | $37,440 | $6,091 | $31,349 | 16.3% |
| Nevada | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| New Hampshire | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| New Jersey | $37,440 | $5,946 | $31,494 | 15.9% |
| New Mexico | $37,440 | $6,158 | $31,282 | 16.4% |
| New York | $37,440 | $6,827 | $30,613 | 18.2% |
| North Carolina | $37,440 | $6,430 | $31,010 | 17.2% |
| North Dakota | $37,440 | $5,764 | $31,676 | 15.4% |
| Ohio | $37,440 | $5,631 | $31,809 | 15.0% |
| Oklahoma | $37,440 | $6,607 | $30,833 | 17.6% |
| Oregon | $37,440 | $8,069 | $29,371 | 21.6% |
| Pennsylvania | $37,440 | $6,468 | $30,972 | 17.3% |
| Rhode Island | $37,440 | $6,327 | $31,113 | 16.9% |
| South Carolina | $37,440 | $6,087 | $31,353 | 16.3% |
| South Dakota | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| Tennessee | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| Texas | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| Utah | $37,440 | $7,059 | $30,381 | 18.9% |
| Vermont | $37,440 | $6,337 | $31,103 | 16.9% |
| Virginia | $37,440 | $6,955 | $30,485 | 18.6% |
| Washington | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
| West Virginia | $37,440 | $6,467 | $30,973 | 17.3% |
| Wisconsin | $37,440 | $6,255 | $31,185 | 16.7% |
| Wyoming | $37,440 | $5,318 | $32,122 | 14.2% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $18/Hour
At $18/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $27.00/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $14,040 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $18 an Hour Good?
$18 per hour is a solid wage that translates to $37,440 annually. You are above the median for hourly workers without a four-year degree and can live comfortably in many parts of the country. This rate reflects genuine skill, whether from training, certification, or experience.Jobs That Pay $18/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $18.
Tips to Make the Most of $18/Hour
To increase from $18 an hour, leverage your existing professional skills into higher-paying specializations. LPNs advancing to RN programs see pay jump to $28-35/hour. Electrician apprentices who achieve journeyman status move to $25-35/hour. In any professional field, additional certifications and leadership experience consistently command higher rates.$18/Hour FAQ
$18 an hour equals $37,440 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, $18/hour typically results in about $29,203-$31,824 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.
Yes, $18/hour provides a comfortable living in most US cities. You can cover rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation with room for modest savings. In higher cost-of-living areas like San Francisco or New York, budgeting more carefully may be necessary.
Common jobs paying around $18/hour include licensed practical nurses, electrician apprentices, truck drivers, carpenters, and medical billing specialists. These roles typically require specific training, certification, or meaningful experience.
Yes, $18/hour ($37,440/year) falls within the middle-class income range for most definitions. The middle class is generally considered to be roughly $30,000-$90,000 for a single earner, and your income positions you solidly within that bracket.