Salary Calculator
Convert your salary between different pay periods. Enter your wage in any format - hourly, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or annual - and instantly see the equivalent amounts across all pay frequencies. Perfect for comparing job offers or budgeting.
How to Use This Salary Calculator
1. Enter your pay amount in the "Pay Amount" field.
2. Select the corresponding pay period from the dropdown (hourly, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or annual).
3. Adjust "Hours per Week" if you work part-time or overtime regularly (default is 40 hours).
4. Modify "Weeks per Year" if you take unpaid time off (default is 52 weeks).
5. Click "Calculate Salary Conversions" to instantly see your equivalent pay across all frequencies.
What Are Different Pay Periods?
Understanding pay periods is essential for accurate budgeting and comparing compensation packages. Different employers use different pay schedules, and the frequency affects your cash flow and financial planning:
- Hourly: Pay per hour worked, common for part-time employees, retail, food service, and contract workers. Provides flexibility but income may vary based on hours scheduled.
- Weekly: 52 paychecks per year, popular in retail, hospitality, and construction. Provides frequent cash flow but requires more careful monthly budgeting.
- Bi-Weekly: 26 paychecks per year (every two weeks), the most common pay schedule in the US. Results in two "extra" paychecks some months.
- Semi-Monthly: 24 paychecks per year (typically 1st and 15th), common for salaried and administrative workers. Each paycheck is slightly larger than bi-weekly.
- Monthly: 12 paychecks per year, common for executives, consultants, and overseas positions. Requires careful budgeting to last the entire month.
- Annual: Total yearly compensation before taxes and deductions. Used for comparing total compensation packages.
Bi-Weekly vs Semi-Monthly: The Important Difference
Many people confuse bi-weekly and semi-monthly pay schedules, but the difference is significant:
- Bi-Weekly: Every two weeks (26 pay periods) - you receive 2 extra paychecks per year compared to semi-monthly
- Semi-Monthly: Twice per month (24 pay periods) - each individual paycheck is slightly larger
For example, a $52,000 annual salary works out to $2,000 per bi-weekly paycheck or $2,166.67 per semi-monthly paycheck. While semi-monthly checks are larger, bi-weekly employees receive more total paychecks. The annual total is the same - the money is just distributed differently.
Comparing Job Offers
When evaluating job offers with different pay structures, always convert to annual salary for accurate comparison. A job offering $25/hour may sound lower than one offering $4,000/month, but the hourly job actually pays $52,000 annually (at 40 hours/week) while the monthly salary is only $48,000 per year.
Also consider unpaid time off. If you receive 2 weeks of unpaid vacation, your effective annual salary is based on 50 weeks, not 52. This calculator lets you adjust weeks per year to account for this.
Salary Conversion Formulas
The calculator uses these standard formulas to convert between pay periods:
Annual = Hourly x Hours/Week x Weeks/Year
Monthly = Annual / 12
Semi-Monthly = Annual / 24
Bi-Weekly = Annual / 26
Weekly = Annual / 52
Daily = Hourly x 8 (assuming 8-hour workday)
Hourly = Annual / (Hours/Week x Weeks/Year)
Tips for Salary Negotiations
- Know your hourly rate: Even as a salaried employee, understanding your hourly equivalent helps evaluate overtime expectations
- Consider total compensation: Benefits, bonuses, 401k matching, and PTO add significant value beyond base salary
- Research market rates: Use your annual salary to compare against industry benchmarks
- Account for taxes: Remember that gross salary differs significantly from take-home pay