Salary Calculator
Convert salary between different pay frequencies and calculate adjusted earnings
What is your current salary and pay frequency?
Typical: 40
Typical: 5
US Federal: 10-11
US Average: 10-15
Note: This calculator assumes 52 working weeks per year (260 working days for 5-day work weeks). Adjust the inputs above to match your specific situation.
Salary Breakdown
| Pay Period | Unadjusted | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Daily | $400.00 | $361.54 |
| Weekly | $2,000.00 | $1,807.69 |
| Bi-weekly | $4,000.00 | $3,615.38 |
| Semi-monthly | $4,333.33 | $3,916.67 |
| Monthly | $8,666.67 | $7,833.33 |
| Quarterly | $26,000.00 | $23,500.00 |
| Annual | $104,000.00 | $94,000.00 |
Calculation Note: The calculator uses the formula: (Hourly Rate × Hours per Week × Days per Week × Working Days per Year) to determine each salary period. Adjusted values subtract holidays and vacation days from the total working days.
Annual Summary
Gross Annual (Unadjusted)
$104,000.00
Does not account for holidays or vacation days
Net Annual (Adjusted)
$94,000.00
Accounting for 25 days off
Remember: These figures are gross salary before taxes and benefits deductions.
Understanding Salary vs Wage
Salary
A salary is typically paid on a regular basis (monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly) and the amount usually does not fluctuate based on the quality or quantity of work performed. Salaried employees often receive a fixed annual compensation that is divided into regular paychecks.
- Fixed amount regardless of hours worked
- Usually includes benefits (health insurance, 401k)
- Exempt from overtime pay requirements in many countries
- Commonly expressed as an annual figure
Wage
Wages are typically associated with compensation based on the number of hours worked multiplied by an hourly rate of pay. Wage-earners are often non-exempt, which means they are subject to overtime wage regulations set by governments to protect workers.
- Paid per hour worked
- Entitled to overtime pay for hours over 40/week
- May or may not include benefits
- Generally lower than salaried positions
Employee Benefits & Compensation
While salary and wages are important, not all financial benefits from employment come in the form of a paycheck. Salaried employees, and to a lesser extent wage-earners, typically have other benefits that can significantly increase your total compensation package:
Health & Wellness
- • Health insurance (employee & family)
- • Dental and vision coverage
- • Mental health services
- • Wellness programs
Retirement & Savings
- • 401(k) or pension plans
- • Employer matching contributions
- • Stock options or RSUs
- • Employee stock purchase plans
Time Off & Leave
- • Paid vacation days
- • Sick leave
- • Parental leave
- • Holidays (typically 10-11 federal)
Other Benefits
- • Bonuses and incentives
- • Professional development
- • Company discounts
- • Flexible work arrangements
Important: Benefits can be worth 20-30% or more of your base salary. When comparing job offers, always consider the total compensation package, not just the salary figure. A lower salary with excellent benefits might be worth more than a higher salary with minimal benefits.
Pay Frequency Explained
Daily
Pays every day, usually at the end of the day. Some short-term contractors or gig workers are paid this way.
Weekly
Pays once each week, usually on Fridays. Results in 52 paychecks per year. Relatively costly for employers, so less common than bi-weekly.
Bi-Weekly
Pays every two weeks, resulting in 26 paychecks per year. Most common frequency in the US for hourly workers.
Semi-Monthly
Pays twice each month, usually on the 15th and last day. Results in 24 paychecks per year. Common for salaried positions.
Monthly
Pays once per month, resulting in 12 paychecks per year. Most cost-friendly for employers but less common in the US.
Quarterly & Annual
Quarterly pays 4 times per year, annual pays once yearly. Rare except for executive bonuses or specific business arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between unadjusted and adjusted salary?
Unadjusted salary is your gross income based on your hourly rate and hours worked, ignoring holidays and vacation days. Adjusted salary accounts for unpaid time off (holidays and vacation days), showing what you actually earn when those non-working days are subtracted from the total working days in a year.
How many working days are in a year?
The standard calculation assumes 52 weeks per year. Multiplying 52 weeks by your days per week (typically 5) gives you 260 working days per year. This is before subtracting holidays and vacation days. If you work 6 days a week, it would be 312 days, and 7 days a week would be 364 days.
Why is adjusted salary lower than unadjusted?
The adjusted salary is lower because it accounts for time you don't work but still get paid (holidays and vacation). These paid days off reduce your average daily earnings. For example, if you earn $100/day but take 25 unpaid days off, you only earn for 235 days instead of 260, reducing your effective daily rate.
How do I calculate monthly salary from hourly rate?
Multiply your hourly rate by hours per week, then by days per week to get daily earnings. Multiply that by the adjusted working days per year, then divide by 12 for monthly. Formula: (Hourly Rate × Hours/Week × Days/Week × Adjusted Days/Year) ÷ 12. The calculator does this automatically.
What if I don't have paid vacation or holidays?
Set both "Holidays per year" and "Vacation days per year" to 0. This means your unadjusted and adjusted salaries will be the same, since there are no unpaid days off reducing your effective earnings.
How is bi-weekly different from semi-monthly?
Bi-weekly means every 14 days (26 times per year), while semi-monthly means twice per month (24 times per year). If you earn $5,000 bi-weekly, that's $130,000 annually. If you earn $5,000 semi-monthly, that's $120,000 annually. The calculator accounts for this difference automatically.
Pro Tips
- • Use the salary calculator to negotiate salary offers. Convert annual offers to hourly rates to understand your true hourly value.
- • Remember that benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions) aren't included in this calculator. These can add 20-30% to your total compensation.
- • The average US employee gets 10-15 vacation days per year. Add 10-11 federal holidays for a typical US estimate of 20-26 total days off.
- • Part-time employees often don't receive paid holidays or vacation days. Adjust these fields to 0 to reflect your actual paid time off.
- • For contractors, set both holidays and vacation days to 0, as you typically don't get paid time off. Your rate should already account for this.
- • Use this tool to compare job offers with different pay frequencies. Convert everything to hourly or annual rates to make fair comparisons.
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