$26 an Hour Is How Much a Year?

How $26 an hour compares

$26 an hour is 6% above the median hourly wage for all US workers, $24.51 in May 2025: more than what the typical worker earns. Source

Roughly 53% of US workers earn less than $26 an hour (BLS national wage percentiles: 10% earn under $15.00, 25% under $18.07, half under $24.51, 75% under $38.71 and 90% under $61.81). Source

It is 3.6 times the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Source

It is above the statewide minimum wage in every state and the District of Columbia (the highest is $18.40, checked Oct 25, 2026).

Jobs that pay about $26 an hour

These are the most common US jobs whose typical (median) pay is within $0.50 of $26 an hour, from Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates covering about 155.5 million US jobs (May 2025). Half the people in each job earn more than its median and half earn less, and pay varies a lot by state and experience. Source

Take-home pay at $26 an hour in all 50 states (2026)

Pick your state at the top of the page and its row is highlighted below.

Take-home pay on $54,080 a year ($2,080 every two weeks) after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and each state's income tax and payroll programs. Single filer, 2026 Form W-4 with no adjustments, no 401(k) or health deductions, rules in force on Oct 26, 2026. Local taxes (such as New York City or Ohio cities) are not included; District of Columbia income tax is not modeled yet.

Taxes at $26 an hour

Tax bracket. As a single filer, $54,080 minus the $16,100 standard deduction leaves $37,980 of taxable income, so your top federal rate is 12%. Each extra dollar of pay, such as overtime or a raise, is taxed at about 19.65%: 12% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare, before any state tax. Source

401(k). Putting 5% of your pay ($2,704 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers your federal income tax by about $324, so it costs only about $2,380 of take-home pay. At this pay, every 401(k) dollar costs about 88 cents (more saved in states with an income tax).

No tax on overtime. At $26 an hour, overtime pays $39; the extra half ($13 an hour) can be deducted on your 2026 return, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. That covers about 962 overtime hours, roughly 18 a week all year. Estimate yours. Source

Earned Income Tax Credit. On $54,080 of earned income, the 2026 credit could be about:

An estimate from the IRS 2026 credit amounts and phaseouts; the IRS uses its own tables and rules (investment income under $12,200, valid Social Security numbers, children who meet the tests). It is paid when you file, even if no tax was withheld. Source

Rent on $26 an hour

HUD counts a household as cost-burdened when rent or a mortgage plus utilities takes more than 30% of monthly income, and severely burdened above 50%. Source On $4,506.67 a month before taxes, 30% is $1,352 a month for rent and utilities; 50% is $2,253. Two earners at $26 an hour ($108,160 together) stay under 30% up to $2,704 a month.

What to know at $26 an hour

$26 an hour puts you just above the typical US worker. Your top federal rate is 12%, so the pay you add with overtime or a raise is taxed more than your first dollars. That makes pre-tax benefits worth more: a 401(k) contribution, especially up to any employer match, is often the best raise available.

If you work overtime, the new overtime deduction is worth about $1.56 in federal tax for every overtime hour (the $13 premium times your 12% rate). To see it in each paycheck instead of your refund, put it in Step 4(b) of a new W-4. With two jobs or a working spouse, use the W-4 Calculator so enough tax is withheld.

$26 an hour questions

Other hourly wages

$25 an hour · All hourly wages · $27 an hour

Want a different number of hours or weeks? Use the Salary to Hourly Calculator. For a full paycheck with your W-4 and deductions, use the Hourly Paycheck Calculator. Figures checked Oct 26, 2026.