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How many hours of work is it really going to take?
Name the thing you’re paying for (the rent gap, a spring break trip, this term’s books), enter your wage, and see the hours per week and per month after taxes come out.
The hours, broken down
Hours per week at different wages
Worth knowing
This is a general estimate, not financial or tax advice. Take-home pay depends on your W-4, state and local taxes, and whether your job is exempt from Social Security and Medicare. Minimum wages shown are state rates as of September 30, 2026; your city, industry or employer size may have a different rate. Check with your employer or your state labor department.
2026 minimum wage by state
The state rate is what state law requires. The “most jobs pay at least” column is never below the federal minimum of $7.25, because most jobs are covered by federal law even where the state rate is lower or doesn’t exist. Rates are current as of September 30, 2026; many states adjust every January 1, and a few (Alaska, DC, Florida, Oregon) change mid-year.
| State | State rate | Most jobs pay at least | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | None | $7.25 | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies. |
| Alaska | $14.00 | $14.00 | Raised July 1, 2026. |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.15 | Some cities (e.g. Flagstaff, Tucson) are higher. |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | $11.00 | Employers with 4+ employees. |
| California | $16.90 | $16.90 | Many cities set higher local minimums. |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $15.16 | Denver and some other cities are higher. |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $16.94 | |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | $18.40 | Raised July 1, 2026. |
| Florida | $15.00 | $15.00 | Rose from $14.00 on Sept 30, 2026. |
| Georgia | $5.15 | $7.25 | State rate is $5.15, but most jobs are covered by the federal $7.25. |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $16.00 | |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $15.00 | Chicago and Cook County are higher. |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Louisiana | None | $7.25 | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies. |
| Maine | $15.10 | $15.10 | Portland is higher. |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $15.00 | Montgomery County is higher. |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $13.73 | Scheduled to rise to $15.00 on Jan 1, 2027. |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.41 | Minneapolis and St. Paul are higher. |
| Mississippi | None | $7.25 | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies. |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $15.00 | |
| Montana | $10.85 | $10.85 | Businesses with gross sales of $110,000+. |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $15.00 | Employers with 4+ employees. |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $12.00 | |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $15.92 | $15.23 at employers with fewer than 6 workers and seasonal jobs. |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $12.00 | Santa Fe (city and county) is higher. |
| New York | $16.00 | $16.00 | $17.00 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $11.00 | Employers with gross receipts of $405,000+. |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Oregon | $15.55 | $15.55 | $16.80 in the Portland metro area; $14.55 in non-urban counties. Changed July 1, 2026. |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $16.00 | |
| South Carolina | None | $7.25 | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies. |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $11.85 | |
| Tennessee | None | $7.25 | No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies. |
| Texas | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Utah | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $14.42 | |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $12.77 | |
| Washington | $17.13 | $17.13 | Seattle and some other cities are higher. |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $8.75 | Employers with 6+ employees at one location. |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $7.25 | |
| Wyoming | $5.15 | $7.25 | State rate is $5.15, but most jobs are covered by the federal $7.25. |
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026); Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (July 1, 2026 rates); D.C. Department of Employment Services (July 1, 2026 notice); Florida’s constitutional schedule ($15.00 from September 30, 2026). Local notes are general; check your city’s rate.
How the hours are calculated
Total hours = amount ÷ take-home per hour
Hours per week = total hours ÷ weeks (monthly costs: ÷ 4.33 weeks)
Common questions
How do I figure out how many hours I need to work?
Divide what you need by what you actually take home per hour, not your wage on paper. At $15 an hour with 7.65% taken for Social Security and Medicare, you keep about $13.85. So a $600 goal takes about 43.3 hours, or 4.3 hours a week over 10 weeks.
What is the minimum wage in my state in 2026?
It ranges from the federal $7.25 (in about 20 states that either match it or have no state minimum wage) up to $17.13 in Washington state and $18.40 in Washington, D.C. See the full table above. Many cities and counties set their own higher minimums, so a job in the city may pay more than the state rate.
How much gets taken out of a student’s paycheck?
Usually Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), 7.65% in total, plus any federal, state and local income tax withheld based on your W-4. Many part-time students earn too little to owe federal income tax and get withholding back as a refund when they file.
If you work for the college you’re enrolled at and attend classes regularly, your pay is often exempt from Social Security and Medicare under the IRS “student exception”. Check your pay stub.
How many hours a week should a college student work?
Many schools cap on-campus jobs at around 20 hours a week during the term, and international students on F-1 visas are generally limited to 20 hours a week of on-campus work while school is in session. Beyond the rules, the practical limit is your course load. If the calculator shows more hours than you can fit, stretch the timeline, lower the goal, or look for higher-paying work.
Does Federal Work-Study pay minimum wage?
Work-Study jobs must pay at least the federal minimum wage, and often more, depending on the job and your state’s minimum. You’re paid for the hours you work, like any job, rather than getting a lump sum, and you can only earn up to your Work-Study award.
Is it better to work more hours or borrow?
Working means no debt, but every hour comes out of study time. Borrowing keeps your schedule free, but unsubsidized federal loans start charging interest right away, so what you borrow now costs more later. For a small or one-time cost, a few extra shifts is usually cheaper. For large recurring costs, compare the hours with what the loan would really cost by graduation.