$21 an Hour: What It Means
Making $21 an hour translates to $43,680 annually. You are now at or above the national median hourly wage, which means you out-earn roughly half of all American hourly workers. Carpenters, IT help desk technicians, and quality control inspectors are typical roles at this pay level.Quick math: $21/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $43,680 gross annual income before taxes.
$21/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $21 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $43,680 | $7,472 | $36,208 |
| Monthly | $3,640 | $623 | $3,017 |
| Bi-Weekly | $1,680 | $287 | $1,393 |
| Weekly | $840 | $144 | $696 |
| Daily | $168 | $29 | $139 |
| Hourly | $21 | $4 | $17 |
$21/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $21/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,680 | $8,564 | $35,116 | 19.6% |
| Alaska | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| Arizona | $43,680 | $7,272 | $36,408 | 16.6% |
| Arkansas | $43,680 | $8,240 | $35,440 | 18.9% |
| California | $43,680 | $7,472 | $36,208 | 17.1% |
| Colorado | $43,680 | $7,807 | $35,873 | 17.9% |
| Connecticut | $43,680 | $8,260 | $35,420 | 18.9% |
| Delaware | $43,680 | $8,402 | $35,278 | 19.2% |
| District of Columbia | $43,680 | $8,089 | $35,591 | 18.5% |
| Florida | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| Georgia | $43,680 | $8,284 | $35,396 | 19.0% |
| Hawaii | $43,680 | $9,243 | $34,437 | 21.2% |
| Idaho | $43,680 | $8,231 | $35,449 | 18.8% |
| Illinois | $43,680 | $8,569 | $35,111 | 19.6% |
| Indiana | $43,680 | $7,877 | $35,803 | 18.0% |
| Iowa | $43,680 | $8,204 | $35,476 | 18.8% |
| Kansas | $43,680 | $8,377 | $35,303 | 19.2% |
| Kentucky | $43,680 | $8,165 | $35,515 | 18.7% |
| Louisiana | $43,680 | $7,867 | $35,813 | 18.0% |
| Maine | $43,680 | $8,260 | $35,420 | 18.9% |
| Maryland | $43,680 | $8,446 | $35,234 | 19.3% |
| Massachusetts | $43,680 | $8,509 | $35,171 | 19.5% |
| Michigan | $43,680 | $8,163 | $35,517 | 18.7% |
| Minnesota | $43,680 | $8,102 | $35,578 | 18.5% |
| Mississippi | $43,680 | $8,019 | $35,661 | 18.4% |
| Missouri | $43,680 | $7,770 | $35,910 | 17.8% |
| Montana | $43,680 | $8,014 | $35,666 | 18.3% |
| Nebraska | $43,680 | $7,630 | $36,050 | 17.5% |
| Nevada | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| New Hampshire | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| New Jersey | $43,680 | $7,465 | $36,215 | 17.1% |
| New Mexico | $43,680 | $7,690 | $35,990 | 17.6% |
| New York | $43,680 | $8,418 | $35,262 | 19.3% |
| North Carolina | $43,680 | $7,936 | $35,744 | 18.2% |
| North Dakota | $43,680 | $7,112 | $36,568 | 16.3% |
| Ohio | $43,680 | $7,029 | $36,651 | 16.1% |
| Oklahoma | $43,680 | $8,129 | $35,551 | 18.6% |
| Oregon | $43,680 | $9,841 | $33,839 | 22.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $43,680 | $7,886 | $35,794 | 18.1% |
| Rhode Island | $43,680 | $7,787 | $35,893 | 17.8% |
| South Carolina | $43,680 | $7,713 | $35,967 | 17.7% |
| South Dakota | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| Tennessee | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| Texas | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| Utah | $43,680 | $8,576 | $35,104 | 19.6% |
| Vermont | $43,680 | $7,772 | $35,908 | 17.8% |
| Virginia | $43,680 | $8,540 | $35,140 | 19.6% |
| Washington | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
| West Virginia | $43,680 | $7,958 | $35,722 | 18.2% |
| Wisconsin | $43,680 | $7,772 | $35,908 | 17.8% |
| Wyoming | $43,680 | $6,545 | $37,135 | 15.0% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $21/Hour
At $21/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $31.50/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $16,380 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $21 an Hour Good?
At $21 per hour, earning $43,680 per year, you out-earn roughly half of all American hourly workers. This is a genuinely good wage that provides financial stability in most US cities. You can cover essentials, build savings, and enjoy a reasonable quality of life at this rate.Jobs That Pay $21/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $21.
Tips to Make the Most of $21/Hour
To grow past $21 an hour, focus on becoming a subject matter expert. IT help desk professionals who earn CompTIA Security+ or AWS certifications can jump to $28-35/hour. Carpenters who specialize in finish work or commercial projects earn $28-40/hour. Seek out mentors in your field who can guide your advancement strategy.$21/Hour FAQ
$21 an hour equals $43,680 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, $21/hour typically results in about $32,760-$36,254 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, $21/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 $21/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, $21/hour ($43,680/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.