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If you’re paid $42 an hour you might assume you’re earning a healthy living, but it’s helpful to translate that hourly wage into an annual salary so you know where you stand. Converting an hourly wage to a yearly figure isn’t hard—you just multiply your rate by the number of hours you work in a week and then by the number of weeks you work each year. For a full‑time job at 40 hours per week and 52 working weeks, $42 an hour translates to $87,360 in gross annual income. That same math shows your monthly pay at roughly $7,280, your weekly pay at $1,680 and your daily earnings at $336 (assuming an eight‑hour day).
Not everyone works 40 hours every week, of course, so your own number may differ. If you average 35 hours a week or take unpaid leave, your annual income will be lower, while overtime can push it higher. Many U.S. employees also receive paid time off or federal holidays, so most people base their annual salary on 2,080 hours per year. The formula to remember is simple: annual salary = hourly rate × hours per week × weeks per year.
Gross pay and take‑home pay aren’t the same thing. The figures above don’t account for income taxes, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) deductions or retirement contributions. Federal tax brackets change from year to year, but someone earning $87,000 might see about 20‑25 % go to taxes, depending on their filing status and the state where they live. After taxes, a $42‑per‑hour worker might net around $65,000–$70,000. To get a more precise estimate, use a take‑home pay calculator and factor in your specific state tax rates and any pre‑tax deductions.
How does an $87,000 salary compare nationally? In the United States, the median household income was about $74,000 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Earning forty‑two dollars an hour therefore places you comfortably above the middle of the income distribution. Whether that’s “good pay” depends on your location and family size; $87k goes much further in a rural town than in New York City or San Francisco. You should also consider your job’s benefits package, such as health insurance, retirement matching and paid vacation, when evaluating your overall compensation.
When budgeting on a $42 an hour salary, start by tracking your monthly expenses and setting aside money for essentials—housing, transportation, food and utilities. Financial planners often recommend the 50/30/20 rule: allocate about 50 % of your net income to needs, 30 % to wants and 20 % to savings or debt repayment. If you’re working overtime or in a high‑demand field such as nursing, skilled trades or information technology, you might use the extra income to pay off high‑interest debt or build an emergency fund. Investing in retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA can also help grow your wealth over time and lower your taxable income.
The bottom line: $42 an hour is how much a year? For a standard work schedule it’s about $87,360 before taxes, but your actual take‑home pay depends on hours worked, deductions and where you live. By understanding how to convert your hourly wage into annual, monthly and weekly income, you can set realistic financial goals and compete effectively with top‑ranked salary guides. Use our salary calculator to run your own numbers, adjust for overtime or part‑time work and get a more personalized picture of what that wage means for you.
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