Comparing a contractor rate with a salaried job only works if you count unpaid time off. A contractor earning $50 an hour with 23 unpaid days off earns about 9% less than 2,080 × $50.
How to use the Salary Calculator
- I get paid
- Pay
- Hours per day
- Days per week
- Holidays per year
- Vacation days per year
- Holidays and vacation are
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Choose how you are paid and enter the amount, hours per day, days per week, holidays and vacation days, and whether they are paid.
Tips
- Tax figures here are estimates for planning – your actual tax depends on credits, deductions and local rules.
- Check the tax year and filing status before you rely on a result.
- Use gross (before-tax) figures unless a field asks for take-home pay.
- When in doubt, confirm with the tax authority’s own calculator or a tax professional.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing marginal and effective tax rates.
- Adding sales tax to a price that already includes it.
- Forgetting payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on wages.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| I get paid | Choose one: Per hour, Per day, Per week, Per two weeks … |
| Pay | Amount in your currency |
| Hours per day | A number |
| Days per week | A number |
| Holidays per year | A number |
| Vacation days per year | A number |
| Holidays and vacation are | Choose one: Paid, Unpaid |
What each result means
- Annual (unadjusted) = [Hourly (unadjusted)]×[Hours per day]×[Days per week]×52
- Quarterly = [Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off)]÷4
- Monthly = [Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off)]÷12
- Semi-monthly = [Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off)]÷24
- Bi-weekly = [Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off)]÷26
- Weekly = [Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off)]÷52
Example values
How the main result changes when Pay changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Pay | Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off) |
|---|---|
| 17.5 | 36,400 |
| 26.25 | 54,600 |
| 35 | 72,800 |
| 43.75 | 91,000 |
| 52.5 | 109,200 |
| 70 | 145,600 |
Formula
Unadjusted annual = hourly rate × hours per day × days per week × 52Adjusted annual = unadjusted − (holidays + vacation days) × daily pay (if unpaid)Other periods = annual ÷ 260, 52, 26, 24, 12, 4Worked example
Inputs — I get paid: Per hour; Pay: $35; Hours per day: 8; Days per week: 5; Holidays per year: 8; Vacation days per year: 15; Holidays and vacation are: Paid.
Results — Hourly (unadjusted) = $35.00; Annual (unadjusted) = $72,800.00; Annual (adjusted for unpaid days off) = $72,800.00; Quarterly = $18,200.00; Monthly = $6,066.67; Semi-monthly = $3,033.33; Bi-weekly = $2,800.00; Weekly = $1,400.00; Daily = $280.00.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hourly pay to a salary?
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52.
What is the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly?
Bi-weekly is 26 paychecks a year; semi-monthly is 24.
Should I adjust for holidays?
Only if your time off is unpaid.
What formula does the Salary Calculator use?
Unadjusted annual = hourly rate × hours per day × days per week × 52.