$38 an Hour: What It Means
At $38 an hour, you earn $79,040 annually. This rate reflects significant professional expertise or advanced trade skills. MRI technologists, elevator constructors, and data analysts are common roles at this pay level, and your compensation places you in the upper quartile of US earners.Quick math: $38/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $79,040 gross annual income before taxes.
$38/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $38 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $79,040 | $18,538 | $60,502 |
| Monthly | $6,587 | $1,545 | $5,042 |
| Bi-Weekly | $3,040 | $713 | $2,327 |
| Weekly | $1,520 | $356 | $1,164 |
| Daily | $304 | $71 | $233 |
| Hourly | $38 | $9 | $29 |
$38/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $38/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $79,040 | $18,836 | $60,204 | 23.8% |
| Alaska | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| Arizona | $79,040 | $16,660 | $62,380 | 21.1% |
| Arkansas | $79,040 | $18,301 | $60,739 | 23.2% |
| California | $79,040 | $18,538 | $60,502 | 23.5% |
| Colorado | $79,040 | $17,867 | $61,173 | 22.6% |
| Connecticut | $79,040 | $18,647 | $60,393 | 23.6% |
| Delaware | $79,040 | $19,035 | $60,005 | 24.1% |
| District of Columbia | $79,040 | $18,927 | $60,113 | 23.9% |
| Florida | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| Georgia | $79,040 | $18,730 | $60,310 | 23.7% |
| Hawaii | $79,040 | $20,642 | $58,398 | 26.1% |
| Idaho | $79,040 | $18,787 | $60,253 | 23.8% |
| Illinois | $79,040 | $18,824 | $60,216 | 23.8% |
| Indiana | $79,040 | $17,460 | $61,580 | 22.1% |
| Iowa | $79,040 | $18,053 | $60,987 | 22.8% |
| Kansas | $79,040 | $18,898 | $60,142 | 23.9% |
| Kentucky | $79,040 | $18,085 | $60,955 | 22.9% |
| Louisiana | $79,040 | $17,827 | $61,213 | 22.6% |
| Maine | $79,040 | $19,163 | $59,877 | 24.2% |
| Maryland | $79,040 | $18,630 | $60,410 | 23.6% |
| Massachusetts | $79,040 | $18,781 | $60,259 | 23.8% |
| Michigan | $79,040 | $18,171 | $60,869 | 23.0% |
| Minnesota | $79,040 | $18,973 | $60,067 | 24.0% |
| Mississippi | $79,040 | $18,186 | $60,854 | 23.0% |
| Missouri | $79,040 | $17,972 | $61,068 | 22.7% |
| Montana | $79,040 | $18,605 | $60,435 | 23.5% |
| Nebraska | $79,040 | $18,145 | $60,895 | 23.0% |
| Nevada | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| New Hampshire | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| New Jersey | $79,040 | $17,958 | $61,082 | 22.7% |
| New Mexico | $79,040 | $17,927 | $61,113 | 22.7% |
| New York | $79,040 | $18,992 | $60,048 | 24.0% |
| North Carolina | $79,040 | $18,032 | $61,008 | 22.8% |
| North Dakota | $79,040 | $16,306 | $62,734 | 20.6% |
| Ohio | $79,040 | $16,504 | $62,536 | 20.9% |
| Oklahoma | $79,040 | $18,314 | $60,726 | 23.2% |
| Oregon | $79,040 | $21,440 | $57,600 | 27.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $79,040 | $17,476 | $61,564 | 22.1% |
| Rhode Island | $79,040 | $17,618 | $61,422 | 22.3% |
| South Carolina | $79,040 | $18,480 | $60,560 | 23.4% |
| South Dakota | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| Tennessee | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| Texas | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| Utah | $79,040 | $18,725 | $60,315 | 23.7% |
| Vermont | $79,040 | $18,325 | $60,715 | 23.2% |
| Virginia | $79,040 | $19,078 | $59,962 | 24.1% |
| Washington | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
| West Virginia | $79,040 | $18,208 | $60,832 | 23.0% |
| Wisconsin | $79,040 | $18,151 | $60,889 | 23.0% |
| Wyoming | $79,040 | $15,049 | $63,991 | 19.0% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $38/Hour
At $38/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $57.00/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $29,640 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $38 an Hour Good?
$38 per hour brings in $79,040 annually, placing you in the top quartile of US earners. This is an excellent wage that provides financial security, meaningful savings, and a very comfortable lifestyle in most parts of the country. Your expertise is clearly highly valued.Jobs That Pay $38/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $38.
Tips to Make the Most of $38/Hour
To increase from $38 an hour, pursue the most advanced credentials and leadership roles available. MRI technologists who add multiple modality certifications earn $44-55/hour. Data analysts who develop strong machine learning and AI skills commonly advance to $55-80/hour. Elevator constructors with full journeyman licensing and leadership experience command $45-65/hour.$38/Hour FAQ
$38 an hour equals $79,040 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, $38/hour typically results in about $56,909-$63,232 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, $38/hour provides a comfortable living in the vast majority of US markets. You can afford quality housing, regular savings, and a solid middle-to-upper-middle-class lifestyle. Even in expensive coastal cities, this wage provides a reasonable standard of living.
Jobs paying around $38/hour include registered nurses, HVAC technicians, police officers, database administrators, and financial analysts. These roles typically require significant education, certification, or years of professional experience.
$38/hour ($79,040/year) places you in the upper-middle class by most definitions. You are earning well above the national median and your income exceeds the traditional middle-class range in many lower cost-of-living areas.