$8 an Hour: What It Means
At $8 an hour, your annual income comes to $16,640 before taxes. This is slightly above the federal minimum wage but still presents significant budgeting challenges. Many workers earning this rate rely on careful expense management and may qualify for various assistance programs that can help stretch each dollar further.Quick math: $8/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $16,640 gross annual income before taxes.
$8/Hour Earnings Breakdown
Full-time earnings at $8 per hour across every pay frequency.
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $16,640 | $1,555 | $15,085 |
| Monthly | $1,387 | $130 | $1,257 |
| Bi-Weekly | $640 | $60 | $580 |
| Weekly | $320 | $30 | $290 |
| Daily | $64 | $6 | $58 |
| Hourly | $8 | $1 | $7 |
$8/Hour After Tax by State
Estimated annual take-home pay at $8/hour for every US state, based on single filing status.
| State | Gross Annual | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $16,640 | $2,104 | $14,536 | 12.6% |
| Alaska | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| Arizona | $16,640 | $1,488 | $15,152 | 8.9% |
| Arkansas | $16,640 | $1,943 | $14,697 | 11.7% |
| California | $16,640 | $1,555 | $15,085 | 9.3% |
| Colorado | $16,640 | $1,509 | $15,131 | 9.1% |
| Connecticut | $16,640 | $1,936 | $14,704 | 11.6% |
| Delaware | $16,640 | $1,861 | $14,779 | 11.2% |
| District of Columbia | $16,640 | $1,519 | $15,121 | 9.1% |
| Florida | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| Georgia | $16,640 | $1,692 | $14,948 | 10.2% |
| Hawaii | $16,640 | $2,121 | $14,519 | 12.7% |
| Idaho | $16,640 | $1,555 | $15,085 | 9.3% |
| Illinois | $16,640 | $2,123 | $14,517 | 12.8% |
| Indiana | $16,640 | $1,944 | $14,696 | 11.7% |
| Iowa | $16,640 | $2,069 | $14,571 | 12.4% |
| Kansas | $16,640 | $1,844 | $14,796 | 11.1% |
| Kentucky | $16,640 | $1,976 | $14,664 | 11.9% |
| Louisiana | $16,640 | $1,813 | $14,827 | 10.9% |
| Maine | $16,640 | $1,555 | $15,085 | 9.3% |
| Maryland | $16,640 | $2,054 | $14,586 | 12.3% |
| Massachusetts | $16,640 | $2,049 | $14,591 | 12.3% |
| Michigan | $16,640 | $1,906 | $14,734 | 11.5% |
| Minnesota | $16,640 | $1,547 | $15,093 | 9.3% |
| Mississippi | $16,640 | $1,641 | $14,999 | 9.9% |
| Missouri | $16,640 | $1,454 | $15,186 | 8.7% |
| Montana | $16,640 | $1,533 | $15,107 | 9.2% |
| Nebraska | $16,640 | $1,487 | $15,153 | 8.9% |
| Nevada | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| New Hampshire | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| New Jersey | $16,640 | $1,670 | $14,970 | 10.0% |
| New Mexico | $16,640 | $1,472 | $15,168 | 8.8% |
| New York | $16,640 | $1,783 | $14,857 | 10.7% |
| North Carolina | $16,640 | $1,612 | $15,028 | 9.7% |
| North Dakota | $16,640 | $1,477 | $15,163 | 8.9% |
| Ohio | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| Oklahoma | $16,640 | $1,737 | $14,903 | 10.4% |
| Oregon | $16,640 | $2,368 | $14,272 | 14.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $16,640 | $1,948 | $14,692 | 11.7% |
| Rhode Island | $16,640 | $1,665 | $14,975 | 10.0% |
| South Carolina | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| South Dakota | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| Tennessee | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| Texas | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| Utah | $16,640 | $2,211 | $14,429 | 13.3% |
| Vermont | $16,640 | $1,758 | $14,882 | 10.6% |
| Virginia | $16,640 | $1,914 | $14,726 | 11.5% |
| Washington | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
| West Virginia | $16,640 | $1,882 | $14,758 | 11.3% |
| Wisconsin | $16,640 | $1,556 | $15,084 | 9.4% |
| Wyoming | $16,640 | $1,437 | $15,203 | 8.6% |
Part-Time and Overtime at $8/Hour
At $8/hour, your overtime rate (1.5x) would be $12.00/hour. Working 10 hours of overtime per week would add approximately $6,240 to your annual gross income before taxes.
Is $8 an Hour Good?
$8 per hour is slightly above the federal minimum wage, but it still falls below the living wage threshold in nearly every US metro area. It is a common starting wage, but most workers at this rate will need to supplement their income or pursue advancement opportunities to achieve long-term financial stability.Jobs That Pay $8/Hour
Common positions with an hourly rate near $8.
Tips to Make the Most of $8/Hour
To increase your earnings from $8 an hour, pursue entry-level certifications that employers value. A CompTIA IT Fundamentals certificate, OSHA safety certification, or state-specific licenses can quickly move you into the $11-14 range. Many community colleges offer short-term programs in medical assisting, welding, or HVAC that lead to $15+/hour positions.$8/Hour FAQ
$8 an hour equals $16,640 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, $8/hour typically results in about $13,645-$14,643 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.
Living on $8/hour is difficult in most areas. You may need to share housing, limit discretionary spending, and look into government assistance programs. It is possible in the lowest cost-of-living areas with very careful budgeting, but most workers at this rate work toward earning more over time.
Common jobs paying around $8/hour include entry-level retail, food service, and service industry positions. Examples include cashiers, food prep workers, stockers, and cleaning staff. With additional training, you can move into higher-paying roles.
At $8/hour ($16,640/year), your income falls below the middle-class threshold, which is generally defined as roughly $30,000-$90,000 for a single earner depending on location. Building toward middle-class income is achievable through skill development and career advancement.