US salary resource hub
Paycheck & Salary Calculators
Use this hub to convert hourly wages to salary, estimate gross vs net pay, compare pay frequencies, understand overtime and plan a paycheck budget before making a job or income decision.
Start with the right calculator
Hourly vs salary
Hourly workers are paid for hours worked. Salary workers are usually quoted as an annual amount that is split across paychecks. A $25/hour worker at 40 hours and 52 paid weeks earns $52,000 gross annually, while a $52,000 salary may have the same annual gross pay but different overtime rules and paycheck rhythm.
| Question | Hourly worker | Salaried worker |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay driver | Rate x hours x paid weeks | Annual salary divided by pay periods |
| Overtime | Often relevant for non-exempt jobs | Depends on exempt/non-exempt status |
| Unpaid time off | Can reduce annual gross pay | May not reduce pay if paid leave applies |
Weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly and monthly pay
Pay frequency changes paycheck size, not annual gross pay. A $52,000 salary is about $1,000 weekly, $2,000 biweekly, $2,167 semi-monthly and $4,333 monthly before taxes.
Gross pay vs net pay
Gross pay is earnings before deductions. Net pay is the amount available after federal tax, FICA, state/local tax where applicable, pre-tax benefits, retirement contributions and other payroll deductions.
Overtime explained
Many US non-exempt workers are owed overtime at one and one-half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Rules can vary by job classification and state, so use the overtime calculator for estimates and verify exact payroll rules with official guidance or an employer.
Common pay frequencies
| Frequency | Paychecks/year | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | Hourly jobs and weekly payroll |
| Biweekly | 26 | Most common every-two-week payroll |
| Semi-monthly | 24 | Twice per month, often 15th and last day |
| Monthly | 12 | One paycheck per month |
Federal tax impact
Federal income tax is progressive, while FICA payroll tax includes Social Security and Medicare. Pre-tax deductions can reduce taxable wages. DailyToolDesk estimates are educational and should be checked against official IRS guidance, employer payroll settings and current pay stubs.
Salary planning guide
For a job offer, first convert gross pay to annual and monthly amounts. Then estimate paycheck take-home pay, compare benefits and deductions, test overtime or unpaid-time assumptions, and build a budget from net pay rather than gross pay.
Popular hourly wage pages
Use these for fast gross-pay conversions with 35, 40, 45 and 50 hour examples.
Frequently asked questions
Does pay frequency change my annual salary?
No. Pay frequency changes how the same annual pay is divided into checks.
Should I budget from gross or net pay?
Budget from net pay because that is the money available after taxes and payroll deductions.
Why does overtime change the annual estimate?
Overtime hours can be paid at a higher rate, so a small number of extra weekly hours can materially change weekly and annual gross pay.