$15 an Hour — Full Tax Breakdown (2026)
The table below shows exactly where your money goes on a $31,200/year salary — federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. These calculations use 2026 IRS brackets for a single filer claiming the $15,000 standard deduction.
| Item | Annual | Monthly | Biweekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $31,200 | $2,600 | $1,200 | $600 |
| Federal Income Tax | −$1,706 | −$142 | −$66 | −$33 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$1,934 | −$161 | −$74 | −$37 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$452 | −$38 | −$17 | −$9 |
| Take-Home Pay | $27,108 | $2,259 | $1,043 | $521 |
Effective tax rate: 13.1% • Marginal bracket: 12% • Standard deduction applied: $15,000
How We Calculate $15/Hour After Tax
We assume a standard full-time schedule: 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = 2,080 hours per year. At $15/hour, that's a gross annual salary of $31,200.
From that, we apply the 2026 federal income tax brackets for a single filer after the $15,000 standard deduction. We then add FICA: 6.2% Social Security (up to the $176,100 wage base) and 1.45% Medicare — totaling 7.65% on most wages.
Note: state income tax is not included in the figures above. If you live in California, New York, or another state with income tax, your actual take-home will be lower. Use our State Tax Calculator to add your state.
How Does $15/Hour Compare?
$15/hour puts your gross income at $31,200 per year. Here's context on where that sits:
- US federal minimum wage: $7.25/hour ($15,080/year)
- Median US wage (2025): approximately $22/hour ($45,760/year)
- Comfortable living wage in most mid-size US cities: $20–$30/hour
- Living wage in NYC or San Francisco: $35–$50+/hour for a single person
Part-Time and Overtime Scenarios
| Hours/Week | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs (part-time) | $15,600 | ~$7,173 |
| 32 hrs | $24,960 | ~$17,644 |
| 40 hrs (standard) | $31,200 | $27,107 |
| 45 hrs (5 hrs OT/wk) | $37,050 | — |
Overtime at 1.5× applies to hours over 40/week under federal FLSA. Use our Overtime Calculator for an exact number.
Tips to Increase Your Take-Home at $15/Hour
- Contribute to a 401(k) — pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income. At $15/hour, contributing 6% saves approximately $225 in federal taxes.
- Use an HSA if eligible — contributions are triple tax-advantaged and reduce gross income.
- Check your W-4 — if you have dependents or itemize deductions, update your W-4 to stop over-withholding.
- File for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if you have children and income below the threshold — worth up to $7,830 for three or more children in 2026.
Get Your Exact Take-Home Pay
This page shows federal estimates. Enter your full details — state, filing status, 401k, and more — for a precise paycheck breakdown.
Open Paycheck Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Sources: IRS Tax Brackets 2026 • IRS Withholding Estimator