Just got a big salary bump? Let me be the very first person to congratulate you on your new 50k salary! But before you get too busy celebrating, stop and ask yourself, “50k a year is how much an hour?”
Table of contents
Getting a big raise or starting your first salaried position definitely feels like a big win. But after you enjoy a celebratory dinner out, don’t forget to pause and really consider what your new salary means for your budget.
$50k a year is how much per hour when you break it down?
When you start a salaried position or get a big raise, it can be hard to internalize what that really means for your wallet.
This is especially true if you’re transitioning from a position with an hourly rate. When you view your wages cumulatively as a yearly salary instead of at an hourly rate, it can automatically seem like a much more lucrative gig. But this isn’t always the case.
Remember: Just because it’s a yearly salary, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more money per hour.
A good way to understand how much your 50k yearly salary is, would be to break it down and think about, “How much is 50k a year hourly?”
How much is $50k a year hourly?
Let’s assume you work the standard 40 hours per week. With 52 weeks in a year, that’s 2,080 working hours per year-or $24.04 per hour.
But 50k a year is how much an hour if you work more than a regular work week? If you work 50 hours per work week, then that’s 2,600 working hours per year at an hourly rate of $19.23.
So when it comes to answering the question, “How much is 50k a year hourly?” be sure you assess the actual amount of hours you work. This way you can get a more accurate number.
What is $50k a year per day?
As a rule, there are 260 work days in a year. So for every working day, you earn $192.31. (When you multiply 8 hours a day by $24.04. Which is the hourly rate for a $50k salary working 40 hours a week).
Remember, though, that salaried positions often come with paid holidays and a certain number of paid vacation days, sick days, or personal days. This means you’ll still be getting $192.31 every weekday of the year-even during holidays and vacations. Hooray!
What is the real amount of $50k a year weekly?
There are 52 weeks in a year, which means your 50k-a-year salary will give you $961.54 gross pay every week of the year.
$50k a year biweekly is how much?
Most salaried positions, however, don’t issue paychecks every week. It’s more likely that you’ll get a paycheck every two weeks or biweekly.
With 26 pay periods in the year, your 50k salary will give you approximately $1,923.07 gross pay every two weeks.
What amount is $50k a year monthly?
When it comes to budgeting, most people like to consider their expenses on a monthly basis, so asking yourself, “How much an hour is 50,000 a year?” is only the first question. It also helps to think about how much your 50k salary gives you monthly.
With 12 months in a year, a 50k salary works out to $4,166.67 gross pay each month.
$50k a year after taxes and deductions
When you’re asking yourself how much an hour is 50,000 a year, remember that your 50k salary is your gross pay.
Gross pay is your total salary before any taxes or deductions are removed.
So if you set up your budget based on your gross pay, you’re going to come up short when it’s time to pay your bills. Instead, you need to calculate your net pay-the money you’ll actually receive after taxes and deductions.
Types of taxes
When you start to figure out your 50k a year is how much an hour, you need to consider what that number will be after taxes.
Let’s assume you’re a single filer. You’ll have to pay:
Federal taxes
Federal taxes are money that every filer needs to pay to the government. The tax rate for single filers earning $50,000 per year can change annually, so it’s important to stay current.
FICA
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It includes a 6.2% tax for Social Security and a 1.45% tax for Medicare.
State taxes
This is where things get variable, as income tax will vary from state to state. Plus, there are even nine states with no income tax.
Deductions that affect pay
But we’re not done yet! Besides taxes, there are also certain deductions you’ll have to consider when thinking about your 50,000 salary hourly.
After federal and state taxes, other deductions you’ll have to consider include:
- Retirement contributions
- Medical insurance costs
- Any local income taxes
- Collections to the US government (if applicable)
- Collections to Court ordered rulings (if applicable)
- Any additional insurances (life insurance, long-term disability insurance, etc.)
We get it-it can all be pretty confusing. If you’re not prepared to get down to the nitty-gritty percentages to figure out your 50,000 salary hourly and your income after tax, then you can make a quick estimate instead.
A good rule is to estimate your net pay by subtracting about 20% to 25% from your gross pay. This would end up at approximately $40,000 if you subtract 20% or approximately $37,500 if you subtract 25%.
Expert tip: Maximize earning $50k a year
The best way to maximize earning $50k a year is to remember that taxes are a factor. This means your post-income tax salary will be less than $50k after all your various deductions have been made. Leverage an online calculator that will factor in your state taxes and marginal taxes to get a rough estimate.
You also want to ensure you budget your money carefully so you leave room to save, invest and pursue the other financial goal you have for yourself! Finally, exploring other streams of income or a side hustle to earn even more is always a good idea!
What it’s like living on $50k a year
So, 50k a year is how much an hour?
When you think about this answer, it’s going to mean something different for everyone. This is because 50k a year can’t deliver the same lifestyle for everyone, everywhere.
What will affect your salary’s purchasing power?
Where you live
How far your 50k salary can stretch will vary greatly depending on where you live. Unfortunately, it’s a reality that 50k a year may not be a suitable living wage in some places.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explains median weekly earnings of full-time workers are $1,041. That would be $54,132 per year, so your 50k salary is relatively on par with the nation’s median income.
But in Colorado, for example, the median income for a single earner is $70,952. In South Carolina, it’s $52,348.
Your family situation
But are you single? Or do you have a family?
Your family situation also plays a big role in your salary’s purchasing power.
What’s most important is considering your household income. Investopedia calls household income “the combined gross income of all members of a household above a specified age.”
So think about the question, “How much an hour is 50,000 a year?”
Your answer (and your lifestyle) will vary greatly depending on whether your 50k salary supports just you, supports your family, or contributes to a multi-income household.
Tips for living on $50k a year
When you get that big raise or start your first salaried position, the most important thing you can do is repeatedly ask yourself, “50k a year is how much an hour?”
Why do we stress this?
Because reminding yourself of your 50,000 salary hourly will help you avoid lifestyle creep.
Lifestyle creep is when your income increases … but then your spending dramatically increases. Too much.
Don’t let all that new money go down the drain! Use these tips to comfortably live on 50k a year:
Don’t spend more than you have
You just earned a big raise, so enjoy it! But don’t let yourself get carried away.
Living within or below your means ups your savings rate-and puts you on the right track for financial wellness.
Make a savings plan when buying something expensive
Just because your paycheck got a boost doesn’t necessarily mean your spending should, too.
Sure, you definitely deserve to treat yourself. But before you splash out big purchases, consider if you can really afford it-or whether or not it would be better to save for a few months first.
Create a logical budget
There are dozens of different ways to create a budget-so there’s definitely one out there that’s the right fit for you.
Creating a budget will help you hold yourself accountable and stay on track with your financial roadmap.
Adjust your budget as time goes on
A healthy budget isn’t always static. As your needs, your lifestyle, and your income change, remember to revisit your budget and adjust it to keep pace with your financial plan.
Jobs that pay $50k per year
No matter where you live or what your education is, it is possible to make 50k per year (or even more!).
Make 50k per year without a degree
There are dozens of jobs you can do to earn 50k or more without a degree, such as:
- Electrician
- Insurance Specialist
- Commercial truck driver
- Sales representative
- Plumber
What jobs make $50k per year with a degree
In some fields, going to school and earning a degree will better your chances of starting off with a higher salary.
For example, you can make 50k per year with an associate’s degree or more by becoming a:
- Dental hygienist
- Loan Officer
- Business analyst
- Communications manager
Articles related to earning $50k a year
If you’ve enjoyed this article on how $50k is an hour, check out this related content:
Living your best life on $50k is possible!
So 50k a year is how much an hour? It’s not always a clear-cut answer, depending on where you live, whether you’re single, etc. But it is possible to live your best life on 50k a year.
The first step is celebrating your income increase! Then it’s time to think about your finances and your future.
You can really get your income working for you by taking the free budgeting course from Clever Girl Finance or even setting your sights on a six-figure salary!