Convert salary amounts between hourly, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, and annual pay frequencies. Adjusted values account for holidays and vacation days.
| Pay Frequency | Unadjusted | Holidays & Vacation Adjusted |
|---|
A salary calculator converts a given pay amount into its equivalent value across different pay frequencies — hourly, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, and annual. It is useful for:
While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, "salary" and "wage" have distinct meanings in employment law and practice:
A salary is a fixed, regular payment — usually expressed as an annual figure in an employment contract. Salaried employees typically receive the same amount each pay period regardless of hours worked. Salaried positions are often classified as exempt under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), meaning they are not entitled to overtime pay.
A wage is compensation based on the number of hours worked multiplied by an hourly rate. Wage earners are typically classified as non-exempt, meaning they are entitled to overtime pay — usually 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Wage earners sometimes earn more than salaried employees due to overtime opportunities, but salaried positions often come with additional benefits.
| Daily | Paid at the end of each working day. Common for short-term contractors and daily-wage workers. |
| Weekly | Paid once per week, usually on Fridays. Requires 52 payroll cycles per year — costly for employers. |
| Bi-Weekly | Paid every two weeks = 26 paychecks per year. Very common in the U.S. |
| Semi-Monthly | Paid twice per month = 24 paychecks per year. Usually on the 15th and last day of the month. |
| Monthly | Paid once per month = 12 paychecks per year. Common outside the U.S. |
| Quarterly | Paid every three months = 4 paychecks per year. Often used for bonuses or dividends. |
| Annual | Total yearly compensation. |
The unadjusted salary assumes you work every working day of the year (typically 52 weeks × 5 days = 260 weekdays), ignoring holidays and vacation days. The adjusted salary subtracts your paid time off (holidays + vacation days) from the total working days, resulting in a higher effective hourly rate for the days you actually work.
Example: You earn $30/hour, work 8 hours/day, 260 working days per year, with 10 holidays and 15 vacation days.
| January | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| February | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) |
| May | Memorial Day |
| June | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | Independence Day |
| September | Labor Day |
| October | Columbus Day |
| November | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | Christmas Day |
Private employers are not required to observe all federal holidays. Generally, only federal employees receive all 11. Most private companies offer 6–10 paid holidays per year.
In the U.S., the FLSA does not require employers to offer paid vacation. The average American worker receives about 10 days of PTO per year, but the bottom 25% of wage earners get only about 4 days. Most employers offer 5–15 days for new employees, with more days accruing over time.
Many companies now combine vacation, sick leave, and personal days into a single PTO bank. This offers flexibility but can be a downside if you get sick early in the year and have to cancel a planned vacation.
In contrast, most European countries mandate 20+ vacation days per year, with some (like France and Germany) requiring 25–30 days.
Q: How do I convert my hourly wage to an annual salary?
Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then by 52 weeks. Example: $20/hour × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $41,600/year.
Q: What's the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly pay?
Bi-weekly = every 2 weeks = 26 paychecks per year. Semi-monthly = twice per month = 24 paychecks per year.
Q: Does the calculator account for taxes?
No. This calculator shows gross pay (before taxes). For net take-home pay, use a take-home pay or income tax calculator.
Q: What's the U.S. federal minimum wage?
$7.25 per hour as of 2026. However, many states have higher minimum wages.
Q: Are salaried employees entitled to overtime?
Generally no, if they are classified as "exempt" under the FLSA.
Q: How many working days are in a year?
260 weekdays (52 weeks × 5 days) minus holidays and vacation. With 10 holidays and 15 vacation days, that leaves 235 actual working days.
Q: Can I use this calculator for contractor rates?
Yes. Enter your hourly or daily rate, and adjust holidays/vacation to 0 since contractors usually don't get paid time off.