$20,000 a year is how much an hour?
A salary of $20,000 works out to $9.62 an hour for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year — $1,666.67 a month before taxes.
$20,000 a year by pay period
| Pay period | Gross pay | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $9.62 | — |
| Daily | $76.92 | 8 hours |
| Weekly | $384.62 | 40 hours |
| Biweekly | $769.23 | 80 hours |
| Semi-monthly | $833.33 | 24 paychecks a year |
| Monthly | $1,666.67 | 173.33 hours |
| Yearly | $20,000 | 2,080 hours (40 × 52) |
All figures are gross pay, before federal, state and payroll taxes. Salaried jobs often expect more than 40 hours a week; at 45 hours, $20,000 is $8.55 an hour, and at 50 hours it is $7.69.
Jobs with a median salary near $20,000
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Bartender | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| Cashier | $32,880 | $15.81 |
| Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other | $32,640 | $15.69 |
| Shampooer | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,890 | $14.85 |
Other salaries
Frequently asked questions
How much is $20,000 a year per hour?
$20,000 a year is $9.62 an hour, based on 2,080 working hours (40 hours × 52 weeks).
How much is $20,000 a year per month?
$1,666.67 a month before taxes, or $769.23 per biweekly paycheck.
Is $20,000 a good salary?
The U.S. median salary for all workers is $50,980 (BLS, May 2025 estimates). $20,000 is 61% lower than the median.