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Direct answer: At $18 an hour, 40 hours a week, you earn $37,440 a year before taxes. Single, paid every two weeks, in Tennessee or with federal taxes only, take-home is about $1,240.89 per check, $32,263 a year, or $15.51 an hour after federal withholding, Social Security and Medicare (2026).
By the numbers: BLS: median weekly earnings of full-time workers were $1,251 in the second quarter of 2026; $18 × 40 hours = $720 a week. Source: BLS Usual Weekly Earnings (July 21, 2026)
“The social security wage base limit is $184,500.” — IRS Publication 15 (2026)
Updated 2026-10-17
About $15.51 an hour, $32,263 a year, if you're single, work 40 hours a week and have only federal taxes (for example in Tennessee), 2026.
$37,440 before taxes at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours).
$1,440 gross for 80 hours; about $1,240.89 take-home if single with federal taxes only.
Not for states with an income tax. Use the paycheck calculator and pick your state; we include state withholding only where we verified the state's 2026 method.
As of Oct. 17, 2026
| Period | Before taxes | After taxes (single) |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $18.00 | $15.51 |
| Per week (40 hours) | $720.00 | $620.44 |
| Per paycheck (every 2 weeks) | $1,440.00 | $1,240.89 |
| Per month (average) | $3,120.00 | $2,688.59 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $37,440.00 | $32,263.04 |
Single, 40 hours a week, paid every two weeks, federal income tax withholding plus Social Security and Medicare only (Tennessee or another state with no income tax on wages). Estimates of 2026 withholding.
| Filing status | Federal per check | FICA per check | Take-home per check | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single (or married filing separately) | $88.95 | $110.16 | $1,240.89 | $32,263 | $15.51 |
| Married filing jointly | $20.15 | $110.16 | $1,309.69 | $34,052 | $16.37 |
| Head of household | $51.12 | $110.16 | $1,278.72 | $33,247 | $15.98 |
Sources: IRS Pub. 15-T (2026) · IRS Pub. 15 (2026)
For context: $18 × 40 hours = $720 a week. The BLS says median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers were $1,251 in the second quarter of 2026 (not seasonally adjusted), so $18 an hour full time is below the median. BLS Usual Weekly Earnings
In a state with income tax, you'll take home less. Pick your state in the paycheck calculator; we include it only where we've verified the state's 2026 method. An estimate, not tax advice.
About $15.51 an hour, $32,263 a year, if you're single, work 40 hours a week and have only federal taxes (for example in Tennessee), 2026.
$37,440 before taxes at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours).
$1,440 gross for 80 hours; about $1,240.89 take-home if single with federal taxes only.
Not for states with an income tax. Use the paycheck calculator and pick your state; we include state withholding only where we verified the state's 2026 method.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.