$15 an Hour Is How Much a Year? (After Taxes, 2026)
Quick Answer — At $$15/hr, 40 hrs/week:
After federal taxes and FICA, a single filer in a no-tax state (TX, FL, WA) takes home approximately $27,108/year ($2,259/month).
Take-Home Pay by State — Key States
Single filer, no deductions, standard deduction applied.
| State | Annual Gross | Federal Tax | State Tax | Take-Home/Year | Take-Home/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $31,200 | $1,706 | $0 | $27,108 | $2,259 |
| Florida | $31,200 | $1,706 | $0 | $27,108 | $2,259 |
| California | $31,200 | $1,706 | $1,872 | $25,236 | $2,103 |
| New York | $31,200 | $1,706 | $1,975 | $25,133 | $2,094 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | $1,706 | $1,544 | $25,563 | $2,130 |
| Washington | $31,200 | $1,706 | $0 | $27,108 | $2,259 |
Hours Worked Comparison
| Hours/Week | Annual Gross | Take-Home (TX) | Take-Home (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs | $15,600 | $14,347 | $13,411 |
| 30 hrs | $23,400 | $20,770 | $19,366 |
| 35 hrs | $27,300 | $23,974 | $22,336 |
| 40 hrs (standard) | $31,200 | $27,108 | $25,236 |
| 45 hrs | $35,100 | $30,241 | $28,135 |
| 50 hrs | $39,000 | $33,375 | $31,035 |
Customize Your Calculation
About $15 an Hour
$15 an hour is the federal minimum wage conversation floor — many states and cities have already passed it as their mandatory minimum. At 40 hours/week, it generates $31,200/year gross, just above the federal poverty line for a family of two. In no-tax states like Texas or Florida, a single earner takes home roughly $26,500 — enough to cover rent in smaller metros but tight in coastal cities. This wage is common in fast food, retail, warehouse entry-level, and home care. For context, California, Washington, and over 20 cities have minimums above $15. If you're earning $15 and considering a move, skipping state income tax can add $700–$1,500/year to your pocket — meaningful at this income level. A $1/hr raise to $16 adds roughly $1,700/year gross, but the actual take-home bump depends on your state and whether the raise nudges you into a higher federal bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $15 an hour a good wage?
$15/hr ($31,200/year) is at or above the federal minimum wage and many state minimums. It's livable in lower-cost areas but tight in cities like San Francisco or New York where rent alone often exceeds $2,000/month. Supplemental benefits (health insurance, retirement match) significantly affect real compensation.
$15 an hour is how much a month after taxes?
$15/hr × 40hrs × 52 weeks = $31,200/year gross. After federal taxes and FICA, a single filer in a no-tax state takes home approximately $2,200–$2,350/month. In California, expect closer to $2,050/month after state taxes.
How much is $15 an hour annually with overtime?
Base: $31,200/year. With 5 hrs/week overtime at 1.5×: $15 × 1.5 = $22.50/hr overtime rate × 5hrs × 52 weeks = $5,850 extra gross, bringing total to $37,050/year before taxes.
What jobs pay $15 an hour?
Common jobs at $15/hr include fast food crew, retail associate, warehouse picker, home health aide, childcare worker, and entry-level call center representative. Many large retailers (Amazon, Target, Costco) use $15+ as a baseline wage floor.