Multiply your hourly wage by the number of hours you work per week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For example: $25/hour × 40 hours/week × 52 weeks = $52,000 annual salary. Don't forget to factor in overtime, vacation time, and benefits.

Include overtime only if it's guaranteed and consistent. If you regularly work overtime, include it in your calculations. However, for job comparisons, it's often better to calculate base salary separately from overtime earnings.

Paid vacation days don't reduce your salary since you're paid for time off. Unpaid time off does reduce your annual earnings. If you take 2 weeks unpaid vacation, work 50 weeks instead of 52 in your calculation.

Gross salary is your total earnings before taxes and deductions. Net salary (take-home pay) is what you receive after federal taxes, state taxes, FICA taxes, and other deductions like health insurance and 401(k) contributions.

Convert both to the same timeframe (annual), include all benefits and compensation, consider work-life balance, job security, and growth opportunities. Don't forget to factor in overtime potential for hourly positions and benefits packages for salaried roles.

No, federal and state income taxes are calculated the same way regardless of whether you're paid hourly or salary. However, the timing of tax withholding may differ, and overtime pay might push you into higher tax brackets temporarily.

The standard full-time work year is 2,080 hours (40 hours/week × 52 weeks). However, this varies with vacation time, holidays, and sick days. Many calculations use 2,000 hours (50 weeks) to account for typical paid time off.

Benefits can add 20-30% to your total compensation value. Include health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, life insurance, and other perks when comparing job offers. A lower salary with excellent benefits might be worth more than a higher salary with minimal benefits.