21 An Hour Is How Much A Year? How To Live On This Salary?

Last updated on February 16th, 2024 at 05:55 am

Are you wondering, 21 an hour is how much a year?

In this post, you’ll learn, $21 per hour is how much amount yearly, semiannually, quarterly, monthly, biweekly, weekly, and daily. Whether you work full-time or part-time. 

How much have you remained after deducting federal, state, and FICA taxes? 

Along with that, you know the tips and tricks for earning more than 21 per hour. And can you live on it or not and how to budget this income with a proper budgeting example? 

In the end, there are certain jobs and companies that pay 21 an hour or more. 

So let’s dive deeper into the post…

How many working days in a year?

In the US weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are off. There are 53 Sundays and 52 Saturdays in the year 2023. So if you exclude the 105 weekends from the 365 days of the year you’re left with 260 working or business days. 

Here we didn’t count the federal holidays. Because there is a total of 11 federal holidays celebrated in a year in the US. So if you deduct them from the 260 days you’re left with 249 working days. 

Now your earnings as a salaried employee highly depends on the number of paid working days. In other words, whether you get paid for 11 federal holidays or not. If you get paid then you receive a salary for 260 working days which is called paid time off, while if not then it’s called unpaid time off. 

21 an hour is how much a year 

To calculate the annual salary for a job that pays $21 per hour and you worked for 260 days in a year, you can use the following formula:

Annual salary = hourly rate x number of hours per day x number of days per year

Assuming an 8-hour workday, the number of hours worked in 260 days would be:

260 days x 8 hours/day = 2,080 hours

Using this value, we can calculate the annual salary as follows:

Annual salary = $21/hour x 2,080 hours = $43,680

Therefore, a job that pays $21 per hour and is worked for 260 days in a year would have an annual salary of $43,680.

But if you work for 249 days a year after deducting the federal holidays then here is how much you earn: 

Annual salary = $21/hour x 1,992hours = $41,832

So you earn a total of $41,832 a year working for 249 days a year. 

21 an hour is how much a year part-time

If you work part-time for 5 hours per day at 21 an hourly rate for 260 days then here is a formula to calculate it:  

Annual part-time salary = hourly rate x number of hours per day x number of days per year

Using this formula, the annual salary for this job would be:

Annual part-time salary = $21/hour x 5 hours/day x 260 days = $27,300

Therefore, a part-time job that pays $21 per hour and is worked for 5 hours per day and 260 days in a year would have an annual salary of $27,300.

If you work part-time for 249 days a year deducting 11 federal holidays from 260 days then here is how much you earn: 

Annual part-time salary = $21/hour x 5 hours/day x 249 days = $26,145

21 an hour is how much a year after taxes

How much net income after tax you take to home from a job that pays $21 per hour depends on several factors. These factors include your filing status, dependents, deductions, and the state where you live and work.

However, to provide an estimate, let’s assume the following:

  • You are a single filer with no dependents
  • You claim the standard deduction

If you live and work in California, which has a state income tax rate of 9.3% and no local income tax.

Your FICA tax (Social Security and Medicare) is 7.65%.

Based on these assumptions, here is how you can calculate your net income after taxes:

First, calculate your gross income:

Gross income = hourly rate x number of hours worked per day x number of days worked

Gross income = $21/hour x 8 hours/day x 260 days = $43,680

Next, calculate your federal income tax. The federal tax rate varies depending on your taxable income, but let’s assume a 22% rate for this calculation. The formula for federal income tax is:

Federal income tax = Gross income x Effective federal tax rate

To calculate your taxable income, subtract your standard deduction from your gross income:

Taxable income = gross income – standard deduction

Using a federal effective tax rate of 7.97%, your federal income tax would be:

Federal income tax = $30,730 x 0.0797 = $3,482

Next, calculate your state income tax. The state income tax rate in California is 9.3% but the effective tax rate is 2.26%. The formula for state income tax is:

State income tax = taxable income x effective state tax rate

State income tax = $43,680 x 0.0226 = $989

Finally, calculate your FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare). 

FICA taxes are 7.65% of your gross income and split between you and your employer. To calculate your portion, multiply your gross income by 7.65%:

FICA taxes = gross income x 7.65%

FICA taxes = $43,680 x 0.0765 = $3,342

To calculate your net income after taxes, subtract your federal income tax, state income tax, and FICA taxes from your gross income:

Net income = gross income – federal income tax – state income tax – FICA taxes

Net income = $43,680 – $3,482 – $989 – $3342 = $35,867

Therefore, based on the assumptions above, your net income after taxes for a job that pays $21 per hour and is worked for 260 days in a year would be approximately $35,867.

If you divide this disposable income by 2080 working hours in a year then you get left with:

Hour rate deducting tax = $35,867 / 2080 hours = $17.24 per hour

So you earn $17.24 per hour after deducting the taxes from your gross income of $43,680 per year. But if you live in California state of the US.

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21 an hour is how much semiannually

To calculate the semi-annual income based on an hourly wage, you need to know the number of hours worked per day. Assuming an 8-hour workday, the calculation is as follows:

Hourly rate: $21

Daily income: $21/hour x 8 hours/day = $168/day

Annual income: $168/day x 260 days/year = $43,680/year

Semi-annual income: $43,680/year / 2 = $21,840

Therefore, working 260 days a year at a rate of $21 per hour results in a semi-annual income of $21,840.

If you choose to work part-time for 5 hours per day part time then here is your semiannual income: 

Semiannual income part-time = 130 days x $21 per hour x 5 hours per day = $13,650

21 an hour is how much quarterly

To calculate the quarterly earnings at a rate of $21 per hour for 260 working days in a year, we need to first calculate the total number of hours worked in a quarter.

There are four quarters in a year, so each quarter is approximately 65 working days (260 days / 4 quarters). If you work 8 hours per day, the total number of hours worked in a quarter is:

65 days * 8 hours/day = 520 hours

To calculate the quarterly earnings, we can multiply the hourly rate of $21 by the total number of hours worked:

$21/hour * 520 hours = $10,920

Therefore, working at a rate of $21 per hour for 260 days a year would result in quarterly earnings of $10,920.

While the quarterly part-time income is calculated as follows for 21 an hourly rate: 

Quarterly part-time = $21 per hour x 5 hour per day x 65 days = $6,825

You earn $6,825 per quarter at 21 dollars an hour wage rate for working 5 hours per day. 

21 an hour is how much a month

To calculate how much you would earn in a month working 173.33 hours at a rate of $21 per hour, you can use the following formula:

Monthly earnings = Hourly rate x Number of hours worked per month

First, let’s calculate the number of hours worked per month. If you work 173.33 hours in a month, you can calculate the number of hours per month by multiplying the number of hours worked per week by the number of weeks in a month:

173.33 hours per month = 40 hours per week x 4.333 weeks per month

Now that we know the number of hours worked per month, we can calculate the monthly earnings:

Monthly earnings = $21/hour x 173.33 hours/month

Monthly earnings = $3,647.93/month (rounded to two decimal places)

Therefore, if you work 173.33 hours per month at a rate of $21 per hour, you earn approximately $3,647.93 per month before taxes and other deductions.

While for part-time work at 21 per hour, you earn the following salary per month for 5 hours of work a day: 

Monthly part-time salary = $21 per hour x 5 hours per day x 21 days per month = $$2,205

You earn $2,205 per month working part-time for 5 hours per day. 

21 an hour is how much biweekly

To calculate how much you would earn biweekly at a rate of $21 per hour, you need to know how many hours you will work per pay period. Assuming a standard workweek of 40 hours, you would work 80 hours biweekly.

So, your biweekly earnings would be:

$21 per hour x 80 hours = $1,680

Therefore, if you earn $21 per hour and work 80 hours biweekly, your biweekly earnings would be $1,680.

The part-time earnings at 21 dollars an hour while working 5 hours per day gives you the following salary biweekly: 

Biweekly salary part-time = $21 per hour x 5 hours per day x 10 days = $1050

You earn $1050 biweekly part-time if you work for 5 hours per day for 10 days in two weeks excluding the weekends. 

21 an hour is how much a week

Assuming you work 40 hours per week at a rate of $21 per hour, you would earn:

$21 per hour x 40 hours per week = $840 per week

So, if you work 40 hours per week at a rate of $21 per hour, you would earn $840 per week.

Choosing to work part-time 5 hours per day you earn the following amount of salary per week: 

Weekly part-time salary = $21 per hour x 5 days per week x 5 hours per day = $525 

You earn $525 per week for working 5 hours per day for 5 days of the week. 

21 an hour is how much a day

If you earn 21 dollars per hour and work for 8 hours a day, your total daily earnings before taxes would be:

21 dollars/hour x 8 hours/day = 168 dollars/day

If you work part-time for 5 hours per day then your part-time income will be: 

Part-time daily income = $21 per day x 5 hours per day = $105 per day

You earn $168 per day working full-time for 8 hours and $105 per day working part-time for 5 hours a day at a $21 per hour wage rate. 

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Hourly Salary to Annual Salary Calculator

21 an hour is how much a year of paid time off and unpaid time off

Due to unfavorable events like sickness, fever, or any other important work, you may have to take leave throughout the year. Along with that, the federal holidays are also a part of life to celebrate. 

Here you can face two possible situations. First, if your employer is a nice person or organization and pays for your leave then you get the same salary for 260 days which is $43680. 

While in case your employer doesn’t pay for time off from work then your income will decrease. So in that case how much money do you receive after deducting the unpaid time off? 

For example, you are off from work for 14 days or 2 weeks out of 365 days or 52 weeks. Now deducting the 105 weekends and 14 more days you’re left with 246 days on the job. 

So let’s calculate the gross salary for 246 days or 14 days of unpaid time off. 

Annual salary after unpaid time off = 246 days x 8 hours per day x $21 per hour = $41,328 a year

You receive $41,328 in gross income per year after unpaid time off leave. 

Let’s say you choose to do a part-time job for 21 an hour for 5 hours per day. And your employer doesn’t pay you for time offs. 

Annual gross salary part time = 246 days x 5 hours per day x $21 per hour = $25,830 a year

You receive $25,830 a year working part-time for 21 dollars an hour wage rate. 

Now let’s calculate the after-tax income for both your full-time and part-time job considering you live in California: 

After-tax income full time (unpaid time off) = $41,328 – $3,200 – $876 – $3,162 = $34,090

After-tax income part-time (unpaid time off) = $25,830 – $1,340 – $317 – $1,976 = $22,197

So when we deduct the unpaid time off from the full-time and part-time salary for a whole year, then you’re left with $34,090 after tax for full-time and $22,197 after tax for part-time salary. 

Dividing the full-time after-tax income with 1,968 hours you get the hourly salary rate of $17.32 and if you divide it by 2080 working hours then you’re left with a $16.39 per hour rate. 

$21 an hour budget example

You may be thinking about how to allocate money to monthly or biweekly expenses so you can spend wisely. So here you get an example of a budget for your biweekly or monthly expenses at 21 an hourly income. 

But before going to the actual budgeting percentages you should know that the after-tax or disposable income is used to budget money. That is your $35,867/12 = $2,989 per month. 

Now you make the budget out of this income. Remember that your budget doesn’t go over this amount otherwise, it’ll be a bad way to manage your expenses. 

There are many budgeting methods to allocate funds to each type of expense. For example 50/30/20 budget allocates 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt payment. On the other hand, 60/30/10 and 70/20/10 are also present to use when your income is too low to afford savings and debt payments. 

So here we go with the 50/30/20 budgeting method which is the most popular one among all other methods. 

Here is the breakdown of how much money goes for each type of expense: 
  • Needs or necessities 50% or $1,495
  • Wants 30% or $897
  • Savings and debt 20% or $597

If you’re receiving money on a biweekly basis then use a biweekly budget template instead of a monthly one. Here your expenses are divided into nearly half. While if you receive a salary every month then use a monthly budget template. 

To go into a more detailed budgeting example here is how you allocate the percentage of money to each individual expense: 

EXPENSESPERCENTAGESAMOUNT
Housing25-35%$747
Insurance 10-20%$298
Food10-15%$448
Transportation10-15%$298
Utilities5-10%$448
Savings10-15%$300
Fun5-10%$149
Clothing5%$150
Personal5-10%$149

Budgeting percentages can vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, such as income level, location, and lifestyle choices. However, here is a general guideline for allocating budgeting percentages to different expenses:

  1. Housing: 25-35% of your income. This includes rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, home insurance, and utilities.
  2. Transportation: 10-15% of your income. This includes car payments, gas, insurance, maintenance, and public transportation costs.
  3. Food: 10-15% of your income. This includes dining out, groceries, and other food expenses.
  4. Debt Repayment: 10-15% of your income. This includes payments toward credit card debt, student loans, and other outstanding debts.
  5. Savings and Investments: 10-20% of your income. This includes contributions to retirement accounts, emergency funds, and other savings goals.
  6. Personal and Leisure: 5-10% of your income. This includes expenses for entertainment, hobbies, vacations, and related discretionary spending.
  7. Utilities Bill: They cost on average $470.06 each month including electricity, gas, water, broadband, and phone bill, etc.

Again, these percentages are just a general guideline and may vary depending on individual circumstances. It’s important to adjust your budget based on your personal needs and priorities.

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Can you live off of a $21-an-hour salary?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the cost of living in the area where you reside, your personal expenses, and your lifestyle choices.

To give you a general idea, the federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, and a salary of $21 per hour is significantly higher than this amount. However, the cost of living can vary greatly across different regions of the United States. For example, living expenses in large cities like New York or San Francisco may be much higher than in smaller towns or rural areas.

In addition to the cost of living, your personal expenses and lifestyle choices will also affect whether or not you can live comfortably at $21 per hour. For example, if you have a lot of debt or other financial obligations, you may find it difficult to make ends meet even with a higher salary. Similarly, if you have expensive hobbies or enjoy dining out frequently, you may need to adjust your spending habits to fit within your budget.

Overall, it’s possible to live on $21 per hour in some areas of the United States, but it may require careful budgeting and lifestyle adjustments to make ends meet.

Tips to live on a $21 per hour wage rate

Living on $21 per hour can be challenging, but with proper budgeting and financial planning, it is possible to live a comfortable life. Here are some tips to help you earn more money:

Create a budget: The first step to living on a $21 per hour wage is to create a budget. Start by identifying and tracking your expenses along with areas where you can cut back. Make sure to include all your monthly bills and prioritize your spending based on your needs.

Cut back on expenses: Look for ways to reduce your monthly expenses. Consider cutting back on unnecessary expenses like dining out, entertainment, and non-essential subscriptions. Try to live below your means and make the most of what you have.

Plan your meals: Eating out can be expensive, so plan your meals ahead of time and cook at home. Look for affordable, healthy recipes and shop for groceries in bulk to save money.

Reduce transportation costs: Transportation is another major expense. Look for ways to reduce your commuting costs, such as carpooling, using public transportation, or biking to work.

Avoid debt: High-interest debt can eat up your income quickly. Avoid taking on new debt and make a plan to pay off any existing debt as soon as possible.

Look for additional sources of income: Consider taking on a part-time job or finding other ways to supplement your income. This could include freelancing, starting a side business, or selling items you no longer need.

Invest in yourself: Consider investing in your education and skills to increase your earning potential. Look for opportunities to take courses, gain certifications, or pursue advanced degrees in your field.

Save for emergencies: Unexpected expenses can happen, so it’s important to have an emergency fund. Try to save at least three to six months of living expenses in case of an emergency.

Use coupons and discounts: Look for coupons and discounts when shopping for essentials like groceries, clothing, and household items. You can find coupons in through loyalty programs, online, and in newspapers.

Take advantage of free resources: Many communities offer free resources like libraries, community centers, and parks. Take advantage of these resources to save money on entertainment and activities.

Living on a $21 per hour wage may require some sacrifices and budgeting, but with the right mindset and financial planning, it is possible to live a comfortable life within your means.

Ways to increase your hourly wage from $21 per hour

There are several ways to increase your hourly income from $21 in the US. Here are some ways:

  1. Ask for a raise: The most straightforward way to increase your hourly income is to ask for a raise at your current job. This could involve scheduling a meeting with your boss to discuss your contributions to the company and negotiating a higher salary.
  2. Pursue further education or training: Investing in your education or skills can make you more valuable to your current employer or open up new job opportunities with higher pay. Consider taking courses, getting certifications, or pursuing advanced degrees in your field.
  3. Look for higher-paying jobs: If you’re not satisfied with your current salary, it may be worth exploring other job opportunities that pay more. Research job openings in your field and consider applying to positions with higher pay or more opportunities for advancement.
  4. Freelancing or side hustles: Consider starting a side business or taking on freelance work to supplement your income. This could involve using your existing skills to offer services on sites like Upwork or Fiverr or starting a small business that aligns with your passions and interests.
  5. Negotiate benefits: In addition to your salary, consider negotiating for other benefits that can increase your overall compensation. This could include things like health insurance, retirement plans, or flexible work arrangements.
  6. Invest in the stock market: If you have some disposable income, consider investing in the stock market. This could potentially generate additional income through dividends or capital gains, although it’s important to be mindful of the risks involved.

Remember that increasing your income often requires hard work, dedication, and persistence. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it is possible to increase your hourly income from $21 and achieve your financial goals.

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Jobs and companies that pay a $21-an-hour wage rate

Sure! Here are 20 jobs that typically pay a $21-an-hour wage rate or higher in the US:

Registered Nurse: The median hourly wage for registered nurses is $35.24, with many RNs earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Electricians: Electricians typically earn around $26.00 per hour, with some earning up to $40 per hour.

Dental Hygienist: The median hourly wage for dental hygienists is $37.13, with many hygienists earning around $21 an hour.

Medical Assistant: The median hourly wage for medical assistants is $17.92, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

HVAC Technician: HVAC technicians earn an average of $25 per hour, with some earning more than $30 per hour.

Paralegal: The median hourly wage for paralegals is $25.46, with many paralegals earning around $21 an hour.

Mechanical Engineering Technician: The median hourly wage for mechanical engineering technicians is $26.31, with many earning around $21 an hour.

Graphic Designer: The median hourly wage for graphic designers is $24.11, with many earning around $21 an hour.

Web Developer: The median hourly wage for web developers is $36.75, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Physical Therapy Assistant: The median hourly wage for physical therapy assistants is $27.31, with many earning around $21 an hour.

Radiologic Technologist: The median hourly wage for radiologic technologists is $29.27, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Network Administrator: The median hourly wage for network administrators is $34.88, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Insurance Adjuster: The median hourly wage for insurance adjusters is $29.70, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Carpenter: Carpenters typically earn around $24 per hour, with some earning more than $30 per hour.

Welder: Welders earn an average of $21 per hour, with some earning more than $30 per hour.

Dental Assistant: The median hourly wage for dental assistants is $18.09, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Executive Assistant: The median hourly wage for executive assistants is $27.62, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Computer Support Specialist: The median hourly wage for computer support specialists is $26.47, with many earning around $21 an hour depending on their experience and location.

Human Resources Coordinator: The median hourly wage for human resources coordinators is $22.98, with many earning around $21 an hour depending

There are many companies that pay a $21-an-hour wage rate or higher, depending on the position and location. Here are some examples of companies that may pay this wage:

  1. Amazon
  2. Costco
  3. Target
  4. Whole Foods Market
  5. Apple
  6. Bank of America
  7. JPMorgan Chase
  8. FedEx
  9. UPS
  10. Home Depot

Please note that wages may vary by location and job position, and these companies may not necessarily offer a $21-an-hour wage rate for all positions. It’s always best to research the specific company and position you are interested in to get an accurate idea of the potential wage rate.

Ahmad Ali