Budgeting by hourly wage

Pick your hourly wage.

Fifteen common purchases priced in hours of work, at twelve different income levels. Whether you earn $15 an hour or $200, the question is the same: how many hours of your life did this purchase really cost? Pick a tier below to see the table.

$12/hr

$25k/yr

Near US federal-adjacent minimum wage.

$15/hr

$31k/yr

Common entry-level service-industry wage.

$20/hr

$42k/yr

Median retail / early admin / trades entry.

$25/hr

$52k/yr

US median hourly wage, roughly.

$30/hr

$62k/yr

Mid-level office / skilled trade.

$40/hr

$83k/yr

Experienced professional / senior trade.

$50/hr

$104k/yr

Six-figure salary threshold.

$65/hr

$135k/yr

Senior engineering / mid-manager.

$80/hr

$166k/yr

Lead engineer / doctor / lawyer early career.

$100/hr

$208k/yr

Principal engineer / senior specialist / partner track.

$150/hr

$312k/yr

Senior executive / established consultant / attending physician.

$200/hr

$416k/yr

Top-bracket specialist / senior partner / C-suite.