$20 an Hour: What It Means
At $20 an hour, you earn $41,600 per year before taxes. The $20/hour mark is a significant milestone, placing you near the national median wage. Construction workers, truck drivers, and medical billing specialists commonly earn this rate, and it provides a stable income foundation in most parts of the country.Quick math: $20/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $41,600 gross annual income before taxes.
$20/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $20 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $41,600 | $6,980 | $34,620 |
| Monthly | $3,467 | $582 | $2,885 |
| Bi-Weekly | $1,600 | $268 | $1,332 |
| Weekly | $800 | $134 | $666 |
| Daily | $160 | $27 | $133 |
| Hourly | $20 | $3 | $17 |
$20/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $20/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,600 | $8,051 | $33,549 | 19.4% |
| Alaska | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| Arizona | $41,600 | $6,811 | $34,789 | 16.4% |
| Arkansas | $41,600 | $7,740 | $33,860 | 18.6% |
| California | $41,600 | $6,980 | $34,620 | 16.8% |
| Colorado | $41,600 | $7,306 | $34,294 | 17.6% |
| Connecticut | $41,600 | $7,758 | $33,842 | 18.6% |
| Delaware | $41,600 | $7,878 | $33,722 | 18.9% |
| District of Columbia | $41,600 | $7,556 | $34,044 | 18.2% |
| Florida | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| Georgia | $41,600 | $7,761 | $33,839 | 18.7% |
| Hawaii | $41,600 | $8,670 | $32,930 | 20.8% |
| Idaho | $41,600 | $7,702 | $33,898 | 18.5% |
| Illinois | $41,600 | $8,058 | $33,542 | 19.4% |
| Indiana | $41,600 | $7,405 | $34,195 | 17.8% |
| Iowa | $41,600 | $7,717 | $33,883 | 18.5% |
| Kansas | $41,600 | $7,850 | $33,750 | 18.9% |
| Kentucky | $41,600 | $7,674 | $33,926 | 18.4% |
| Louisiana | $41,600 | $7,386 | $34,214 | 17.8% |
| Maine | $41,600 | $7,711 | $33,889 | 18.5% |
| Maryland | $41,600 | $7,938 | $33,662 | 19.1% |
| Massachusetts | $41,600 | $7,996 | $33,604 | 19.2% |
| Michigan | $41,600 | $7,666 | $33,934 | 18.4% |
| Minnesota | $41,600 | $7,582 | $34,018 | 18.2% |
| Mississippi | $41,600 | $7,513 | $34,087 | 18.1% |
| Missouri | $41,600 | $7,262 | $34,338 | 17.5% |
| Montana | $41,600 | $7,483 | $34,117 | 18.0% |
| Nebraska | $41,600 | $7,117 | $34,483 | 17.1% |
| Nevada | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| New Hampshire | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| New Jersey | $41,600 | $6,942 | $34,658 | 16.7% |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | $7,179 | $34,421 | 17.3% |
| New York | $41,600 | $7,888 | $33,712 | 19.0% |
| North Carolina | $41,600 | $7,434 | $34,166 | 17.9% |
| North Dakota | $41,600 | $6,662 | $34,938 | 16.0% |
| Ohio | $41,600 | $6,563 | $35,037 | 15.8% |
| Oklahoma | $41,600 | $7,622 | $33,978 | 18.3% |
| Oregon | $41,600 | $9,251 | $32,349 | 22.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 | $7,413 | $34,187 | 17.8% |
| Rhode Island | $41,600 | $7,300 | $34,300 | 17.5% |
| South Carolina | $41,600 | $7,171 | $34,429 | 17.2% |
| South Dakota | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| Tennessee | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| Texas | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| Utah | $41,600 | $8,070 | $33,530 | 19.4% |
| Vermont | $41,600 | $7,293 | $34,307 | 17.5% |
| Virginia | $41,600 | $8,012 | $33,588 | 19.3% |
| Washington | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
| West Virginia | $41,600 | $7,451 | $34,149 | 17.9% |
| Wisconsin | $41,600 | $7,255 | $34,345 | 17.4% |
| Wyoming | $41,600 | $6,136 | $35,464 | 14.7% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $20/Hour
At $20/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $30.00/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $15,600 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $20 an Hour Good?
$20 per hour is a strong wage that puts you at $41,600 annually, right around the national median. In most parts of the country, this provides a comfortable middle-class lifestyle with room for saving and occasional extras. It is considered a solid, respectable wage by most measures.Jobs That Pay $20/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $20.
Tips to Make the Most of $20/Hour
To advance beyond $20 an hour, focus on transitioning from competent to expert in your field. Truck drivers with specialized endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles) earn $25-35/hour. Construction workers who become certified project managers or estimators move to $28-40/hour. In any field, demonstrated expertise and leadership naturally command higher compensation.$20/Hour FAQ
$20 an hour equals $41,600 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, $20/hour typically results in about $31,200-$34,528 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, $20/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 $20/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, $20/hour ($41,600/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.