Hourly vs Salary Calculator
Compare hourly and salaried job offers including overtime, benefits, and effective hourly rates. See which truly pays better.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Net Annual Income
Click chart to expand
Effective Hourly Rate
Click chart to expand
Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Gross Annual
- €69,160
- Benefits Value
- €0
- Net Annual
- €49,795
- Hours/Week
- 45
- Eff. €/hr (net)
- €21
- Overtime Pay
- €10,920
- Gross Annual
- €7,000
- Benefits Value
- €3,500
- Net Annual
- €5,040
- Hours/Week
- 3500
- Eff. €/hr (net)
- €0.03
- Overtime Pay
- €0
| Factor | Recommended Hourly | Salary Most Flexible |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Annual | €69,160 | €7,000 |
| Benefits Value | €0 | €3,500 |
| Net Annual | €49,795 | €5,040 |
| Hours/Week | 45 | 3500 |
| Eff. €/hr (net) | €21 | €0.03 |
| Overtime Pay | €10,920 | €0 |
Hourly nets €44755/year more. Hourly: €28/hr × 40hrs + 5hrs OT = €69160 gross (€21.28/hr net). Salary: €3500 + €3500 benefits = €7000 gross (€0.03/hr net for 3500hrs/week).
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
Double overtime hours
At stated hours
10% fewer hourly hours
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Hourly: Net Annual across its full range. Hourly Rate has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Hourly Rate — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome shifts meaningfully with your assumptions. Sensible, but revisit the key inputs.
Hourly Net: €37,740 (worst) → -€44,755 (expected) → €57,658 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares annual net income from hourly work (including overtime) versus a salaried position with benefits, showing effective hourly rates for both.
How the calculation works
Hourly gross = rate × regular hours + overtime rate × OT hours, all × weeks per year. Salary gross = salary + benefits. Both are taxed, then divided by total hours for effective rates.
Formula
Hourly Gross = (Rate × Hrs + OT Rate × OT Hrs) × Weeks Salary Gross = Salary + Benefits Eff. €/hr = Net Annual / Total Hours
Example
Hourly €28/hr × 40hrs + €42 OT × 5hrs = €72,800 gross. Salary €58k + €6k benefits = €64k gross. After tax, hourly wins on gross but salary benefits and stability matter.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Hourly vs Salary Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
Hourly gross = rate × regular hours + overtime rate × OT hours, all × weeks per year. Salary gross = salary + benefits. Both are taxed, then divided by total hours for effective rates.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Hourly €28/hr × 40hrs + €42 OT × 5hrs = €72,800 gross. Salary €58k + €6k benefits = €64k gross. After tax, hourly wins on gross but salary benefits and stability matter.
Factors to Consider
- Salaried roles often include health, pension, and paid leave
- Hourly workers get paid for every overtime hour
- Salaried workers may work unpaid extra hours
- Hourly income can be cut during slow periods
- Effective hourly rate is the fairest comparison metric
Common Mistakes
- Comparing hourly rate to salary ÷ 2080 without including benefits
- Ignoring unpaid overtime on salaried roles
- Assuming hourly always means more money — benefits gap matters
- Not accounting for income instability on hourly roles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hourly or salary better?+
It depends on hours worked and benefits. Hourly wins when you get regular overtime and limited benefits. Salary wins with good benefits and moderate hours. Compare effective €/hr, not headline numbers.
How do I convert salary to hourly?+
Divide annual salary by total hours worked (not just 2,080). If you work 45 hrs/week, that's 2,340 hours. A €58k salary = €24.79/hr before tax and benefits.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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