Full breakdown: gross pay, taxes, and take-home across states and schedules (2026 tax year)
gross annual salary at 40 hours/week
Here's what $18/hour actually looks like after federal and California state taxes:
| Filing Status | Annual Gross | Total Taxes | Annual Net | Biweekly Net | Hourly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $37,440 | -$6,292 | $31,148 | $1,198 | $14.97 |
| Married jointly | $37,440 | -$4,132 | $33,308 | $1,281 | $16.01 |
| Head of household | $37,440 | -$5,308 | $32,132 | $1,236 | $15.45 |
Based on 2026 IRS federal brackets + CA state tax + FICA + CA SDI. Does not include health insurance, 401k, or union dues. Use our Net Pay Calculator for personalized results.
| Deduction | Annual | Per Paycheck (2wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | -$2,313 | -$89 |
| California State Tax | -$703 | -$27 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$2,321 | -$89 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$543 | -$21 |
| CA SDI (1.1%) | -$412 | -$16 |
| Total Taxes | -$6,292 | -$242 |
| Net Take-Home | $31,148 | $1,198 |
Many healthcare and shift workers do 36-hour weeks:
The same $18/hour gives you very different take-home depending on your state:
| State | Annual Gross | Annual Net | Monthly Net | Difference vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (no tax) | $37,440 | $32,263 | $2,689 | baseline |
| Florida (no tax) | $37,440 | $32,263 | $2,689 | $0 |
| Washington | $37,440 | $32,046 | $2,671 | -$217/yr |
| New York | $37,440 | $30,809 | $2,567 | -$1,454/yr |
| California | $37,440 | $31,148 | $2,596 | -$1,115/yr |
Estimates for single filer, standard deduction, 2026 brackets. Use our calculator for exact figures.
| Schedule | Hours/Week | Annual Gross | Biweekly Gross | Extra vs 40hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 40 | $37,440 | $1,440 | — |
| Light OT (5hrs) | 45 | $44,460 | $1,710 | +$7,020/yr |
| Moderate OT (10hrs) | 50 | $51,480 | $1,980 | +$14,040/yr |
| Heavy OT (20hrs) | 60 | $65,520 | $2,520 | +$28,080/yr |
OT rate: $27.00/hr (1.5x). You typically keep 60-65% of overtime after higher marginal taxes.
| Shift | Effective Rate | Annual (40hr/wk) | Extra per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day (base) | $18.00/hr | $37,440 | — |
| Evening (+$2.50/hr) | $20.50/hr | $42,640 | +$5,200/yr |
| Night (+$4.00/hr) | $22.00/hr | $45,760 | +$8,320/yr |
| Weekend (+$3.00/hr, 16h/wk) | $21.00/hr | $39,936 | +$2,496/yr |
See our differential guide for real hospital data.
| Period | Gross | Net (Single, CA) |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $18.00 | $14.97 |
| Daily (8hr) | $144 | $120 |
| Weekly | $720 | $599 |
| Biweekly | $1,440 | $1,198 |
| Monthly | $3,120 | $2,596 |
| Annual | $37,440 | $31,148 |
WAGETru shows real pay from union contract data and employee-submitted paystubs — not just estimates.
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