$22 an Hour: What It Means
Earning $22 an hour brings your annual gross income to $45,760. At this rate, you are earning a solid wage that provides comfortable living in many mid-size and smaller metro areas. Loan processors, industrial mechanics, and purchasing agents commonly earn around this level.Quick math: $22/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $45,760 gross annual income before taxes.
$22/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $22 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $45,760 | $7,990 | $37,770 |
| Monthly | $3,813 | $666 | $3,148 |
| Bi-Weekly | $1,760 | $307 | $1,453 |
| Weekly | $880 | $154 | $726 |
| Daily | $176 | $31 | $145 |
| Hourly | $22 | $4 | $18 |
$22/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $22/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,760 | $9,076 | $36,684 | 19.8% |
| Alaska | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| Arizona | $45,760 | $7,732 | $38,028 | 16.9% |
| Arkansas | $45,760 | $8,741 | $37,019 | 19.1% |
| California | $45,760 | $7,990 | $37,770 | 17.5% |
| Colorado | $45,760 | $8,307 | $37,453 | 18.2% |
| Connecticut | $45,760 | $8,763 | $36,997 | 19.1% |
| Delaware | $45,760 | $8,926 | $36,834 | 19.5% |
| District of Columbia | $45,760 | $8,623 | $37,137 | 18.8% |
| Florida | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| Georgia | $45,760 | $8,807 | $36,953 | 19.2% |
| Hawaii | $45,760 | $9,816 | $35,944 | 21.5% |
| Idaho | $45,760 | $8,761 | $36,999 | 19.1% |
| Illinois | $45,760 | $9,081 | $36,679 | 19.8% |
| Indiana | $45,760 | $8,349 | $37,411 | 18.2% |
| Iowa | $45,760 | $8,692 | $37,068 | 19.0% |
| Kansas | $45,760 | $8,905 | $36,855 | 19.5% |
| Kentucky | $45,760 | $8,657 | $37,103 | 18.9% |
| Louisiana | $45,760 | $8,349 | $37,411 | 18.2% |
| Maine | $45,760 | $8,809 | $36,951 | 19.3% |
| Maryland | $45,760 | $8,953 | $36,807 | 19.6% |
| Massachusetts | $45,760 | $9,021 | $36,739 | 19.7% |
| Michigan | $45,760 | $8,660 | $37,100 | 18.9% |
| Minnesota | $45,760 | $8,622 | $37,138 | 18.8% |
| Mississippi | $45,760 | $8,526 | $37,234 | 18.6% |
| Missouri | $45,760 | $8,279 | $37,481 | 18.1% |
| Montana | $45,760 | $8,546 | $37,214 | 18.7% |
| Nebraska | $45,760 | $8,143 | $37,617 | 17.8% |
| Nevada | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| New Hampshire | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| New Jersey | $45,760 | $7,989 | $37,771 | 17.5% |
| New Mexico | $45,760 | $8,201 | $37,559 | 17.9% |
| New York | $45,760 | $8,949 | $36,811 | 19.6% |
| North Carolina | $45,760 | $8,439 | $37,321 | 18.4% |
| North Dakota | $45,760 | $7,561 | $38,199 | 16.5% |
| Ohio | $45,760 | $7,494 | $38,266 | 16.4% |
| Oklahoma | $45,760 | $8,637 | $37,123 | 18.9% |
| Oregon | $45,760 | $10,432 | $35,328 | 22.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $45,760 | $8,358 | $37,402 | 18.3% |
| Rhode Island | $45,760 | $8,274 | $37,486 | 18.1% |
| South Carolina | $45,760 | $8,255 | $37,505 | 18.0% |
| South Dakota | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| Tennessee | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| Texas | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| Utah | $45,760 | $9,081 | $36,679 | 19.8% |
| Vermont | $45,760 | $8,250 | $37,510 | 18.0% |
| Virginia | $45,760 | $9,068 | $36,692 | 19.8% |
| Washington | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
| West Virginia | $45,760 | $8,465 | $37,295 | 18.5% |
| Wisconsin | $45,760 | $8,291 | $37,469 | 18.1% |
| Wyoming | $45,760 | $6,953 | $38,807 | 15.2% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $22/Hour
At $22/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $33.00/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $17,160 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $22 an Hour Good?
$22 per hour translates to $45,760 annually and represents an above-average hourly wage. You can live comfortably in most mid-size metro areas, afford a reasonable apartment, and begin building meaningful savings. This rate reflects a clear step above entry-level into established professional territory.Jobs That Pay $22/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $22.
Tips to Make the Most of $22/Hour
To move beyond $22 an hour, identify the most valuable specializations in your field and pursue them strategically. Loan processors who become underwriters can earn $30-40/hour. Industrial mechanics with PLC programming skills command $28-38/hour. Professional certifications and demonstrated leadership consistently yield the strongest salary increases.$22/Hour FAQ
$22 an hour equals $45,760 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, $22/hour typically results in about $34,320-$37,981 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, $22/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 $22/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, $22/hour ($45,760/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.