| Pre-tax | After tax | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $28.00 | $23.45 |
| Weekly | $1,120 | $938 |
| Biweekly | $2,240 | $1,876 |
| Monthly | $4,853 | $4,065 |
| Annual | $58,240 | $48,780 |
At a standard 40-hour week, $28 an hour lands you at $58,240 a year before taxes. That's a comfortable middle-income number in most of the country, but the gap between gross and net is bigger than most people expect—federal tax brackets, FICA, and state withholding can shave off $8K–$11K depending on where you file. The other thing job seekers miss: this rate often signals a clear ceiling in job postings, separating entry-level roles from genuinely mid-career positions.
How the math works
The standard calculation multiplies your hourly rate by 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year: $28 × 40 × 52 = $58,240. That assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid time off. Part-time schedules, freelance gigs with variable hours, or jobs that offer unpaid PTO will drop the annual total. Contract roles sometimes advertise higher hourly rates specifically because they don't include benefits or guaranteed hours. If you're comparing offers, confirm whether the 40-hour assumption actually holds.
What $28 actually takes home — the after-tax cut
Federal income tax will pull you into the 22% marginal bracket if you're single, though your effective rate across all income will be lower—closer to 12–14%. FICA takes another 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare, which is a flat hit on every paycheck. Combined, federal tax and FICA carve out roughly $8,500–$9,500 before state tax enters the picture. State tax is where take-home pay diverges hard: California, New York, Oregon, and New Jersey will each take another $2,000–$3,500 depending on local rates, while Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, and Tennessee charge zero state income tax. That $2K–$3K difference translates to $200–$300 per month—enough to change your rent budget or savings rate.
What kinds of jobs pay $28/hr?
| Job title | Typical setting | Why this rate fits |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Nursing homes, clinics | Mid-tier healthcare credential, supervised scope |
| Dental Hygienist | Private dental practices | Licensure required, but not degree-level pay |
| Paralegal (3–5 years) | Law firms, corporate legal | Post-entry experience, pre-senior title |
| Executive Assistant | Mid-size companies | Supports C-suite, requires discretion + org skills |
| Electrician (apprentice, year 3–4) | Union shops, commercial sites | Moving toward journeyman but not licensed yet |
| Bank Teller (senior/lead) | Retail branches | Supervisory duties, cash handling responsibility |
| HVAC Technician | Residential service companies | Trade cert, not master license |
| Medical Coder | Hospitals, billing companies | Certification (CPC/CCS), detail work |
| Junior Accountant | Small firms, in-house finance | Post-entry, pre-CPA or early CPA |
| Quality Assurance Specialist | Manufacturing, pharma | Compliance + inspection, not engineering |
| Customer Success Manager | SaaS startups, B2B tech | Client retention focus, quota-adjacent |
| Construction Estimator | General contractors | Pricing + bidding, requires field experience |
Is $28/hr a good salary?
$58,240 a year puts you about 20% above the US median individual income of ~$48K, so it's a solid middle-income wage on paper. The 30% rent rule suggests spending no more than $1,456/month on housing. That's doable in metros like Austin, Charlotte, Nashville, or Phoenix if you're open to roommates or outer neighborhoods, but it's tight to impossible in San Francisco, Boston, New York, or Los Angeles without splitting costs. For a single person, this rate covers essentials and modest savings in most of the country. It won't fund aggressive investment or frequent travel, but it's stable. For families or single parents, childcare costs can eat 25–35% of take-home, making this rate feel much tighter. The difference between this and $35/hr is the difference between living paycheck-to-paycheck and having breathing room.
Why employers post this rate range
$28/hr sits at the top end of "skilled entry" and the bottom of "experienced mid-level" in most industries. Employers use this rate to signal that the role requires some credential, certification, or 2–4 years of experience—but it's not senior. Bumping the posted rate from $26 to $28 is a hiring manager's way of saying "we need someone who can work independently" without committing to a $35+ mid-career band. On the flip side, if you see $28 for a role that typically pays $32–$35 in your market, it's a yellow flag: the company might be understaffing, the title might be inflated, or they're betting on someone who doesn't know the going rate. When evaluating desired salary ranges in applications, $28/hr tells you the employer sees the role as foundational but not strategic. If you're already at this rate and want to jump to $35+, you're usually looking at a title change, not just tenure.
Sibling rate breakdowns
For more rate breakdowns: $27/hr, $29/hr, $26/hr, $30/hr, $25/hr
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is $28 an hour annually?
- $28 an hour equals $58,240 per year when working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks.
- What is the take-home pay for $28 an hour?
- After federal tax and FICA, expect roughly $47,000–$50,000 annually depending on your state and filing status.
- Is $28 an hour a good wage?
- $28/hr is above the US median individual income of ~$48K, making it a solid mid-tier wage. It's livable in most metros outside the coasts but tight in high-cost cities like SF or NYC.