$28 an Hour is How Much a Year? A Comprehensive Salary Guide
Earning $28 an hour places you at a significant benchmark in the American workforce, translating to a solid annual income that supports a stable lifestyle in many parts of the country. This salary level is achievable across a diverse range of industries, from healthcare and tech to the skilled trades.
But what does earning $28 an hour truly mean for your budget, your career path, and your financial future? This guide will break down the numbers, explore the types of jobs that offer this pay rate, and detail the key factors you can leverage to reach—and exceed—this earning potential.
Breaking Down a $28/Hour Salary: The Annual, Monthly, and Weekly Numbers
Before we dive into career paths, let's translate that hourly rate into figures you can use for budgeting. Assuming a standard 40-hour workweek and 52 weeks a year, with no overtime, the math looks like this:
- Annual Salary: $28/hour x 40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year = $58,240 per year
- Monthly Salary: $58,240 / 12 months = $4,853 per month (before taxes)
- Bi-Weekly Paycheck: $58,240 / 26 pay periods = $2,240 per paycheck (before taxes)
- Weekly Salary: $28/hour x 40 hours/week = $1,120 per week (before taxes)
This annual income of over $58,000 is a strong foundation. For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median usual weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers was $1,145 in the fourth quarter of 2023, which annualizes to approximately $59,540. This means a $28/hour wage is right in line with the national median, making it a very representative and achievable salary target.
What Kind of Jobs Pay $28 an Hour?
A $58,240 annual salary is not confined to one industry. It represents a pay grade accessible to professionals with specialized skills, associate's or bachelor's degrees, and valuable hands-on experience. Here are some examples of professions where the median pay hovers around this mark, with data from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH).
Healthcare Support:
- Respiratory Therapists: These professionals care for patients with breathing problems. The median pay is $70,540 per year ($33.91/hour), and the field is projected to grow 13% by 2032, much faster than average. (Source: BLS OOH)
- Radiologic Technologists: They perform diagnostic imaging examinations, like X-rays. The median pay is $65,140 per year ($31.32/hour), with a stable 5% growth outlook. (Source: BLS OOH)
Skilled Trades:
- Electricians: A highly in-demand trade, electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. The median pay is $60,240 per year ($28.96/hour), with a projected growth of 6% by 2032. (Source: BLS OOH)
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: These roles involve working with pipes that carry liquids or gases. The median pay is $60,090 per year ($28.89/hour), and opportunities are expected to remain steady. (Source: BLS OOH)
Business, Finance, and Technology:
- Loan Officers: Professionals who evaluate and authorize loan applications for individuals and businesses. The median pay is $65,740 per year ($31.61/hour). (Source: BLS OOH)
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants: They support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks, from legal research to drafting documents. The median pay is $59,200 per year ($28.46/hour). (Source: BLS OOH)
- Graphic Designers: Creating visual concepts for various media, graphic designers earned a median pay of $57,990 per year ($27.88/hour). (Source: BLS OOH)
Key Factors That Influence Your Salary
Reaching the $28-per-hour mark—and climbing beyond it—often depends on a combination of strategic career choices. Here’s how various factors can impact your earning potential.
### Level of Education
Education is a powerful lever for increasing income. While many skilled trades that pay around $28/hour require apprenticeships or associate's degrees, a Bachelor's degree often unlocks higher starting salaries and greater long-term potential. According to BLS data, individuals with a bachelor's degree have median weekly earnings significantly higher than those with only a high school diploma. Furthermore, professional certifications in fields like IT (e.g., CompTIA Network+), finance (e.g., certifications for loan officers), or healthcare (e.g., ARRT for radiologic technologists) can directly qualify you for higher pay rates.
### Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the most critical factor in salary growth.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): You may start slightly below the $28/hour mark as you learn the ropes.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): After gaining proficiency and demonstrating value, professionals can confidently command $28/hour or more. This is often where individuals reach the median pay for their profession.
- Senior-Level (8+ years): With deep expertise, leadership skills, and a proven track record, senior professionals can earn substantially more. A senior paralegal or a master electrician, for example, will earn well above the median wage.
Salary aggregators like Payscale and Glassdoor consistently show a strong positive correlation between years of experience and pay across nearly every profession.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. A $58,240 salary will feel very different in a high-cost-of-living (COL) city like San Francisco or New York compared to a lower-cost city like Houston or St. Louis. Companies in high-COL areas must offer higher salaries to attract talent. For example, a salary of $58,000 in Indianapolis, Indiana, would need to be approximately $95,000 in San Francisco, California, to maintain the same standard of living, according to cost-of-living data from Salary.com. When evaluating a job offer, always consider the local cost of housing, transportation, and taxes.
### Company Type
The type of organization you work for can significantly influence your pay.
- Large Corporations: Often have more structured and higher pay bands compared to smaller businesses.
- Startups: May offer lower base salaries but compensate with equity or significant growth potential.
- Non-profits and Government: Tend to have more modest pay scales but often provide excellent benefits, job security, and a strong sense of mission.
- Industry: An IT specialist at a major financial firm will likely earn more than an IT specialist at a small non-profit, even with similar experience.
### Area of Specialization
Within any given profession, specialization can be a key to higher earnings. A generalist graphic designer might earn the median wage, but a designer who specializes in high-demand UX/UI (User Experience/User Interface) for tech companies can command a much higher salary. Similarly, an electrician who specializes in commercial solar panel installation or a paralegal with expertise in lucrative intellectual property law will have greater earning power than their generalist peers.
Job Outlook
The long-term demand for your chosen profession is a critical consideration. Many of the jobs listed above, particularly in healthcare and the skilled trades, have a strong or "much faster than average" growth outlook, according to the BLS. Pursuing a career in a growing field ensures greater job security and more leverage for salary negotiations in the future. Fields like renewable energy, data analytics, and healthcare support are poised for sustained growth over the next decade.
Conclusion
Earning $28 an hour, or $58,240 a year, represents a significant and achievable milestone for a vast number of American professionals. It places you squarely at the national median income and can provide a comfortable lifestyle in most areas of the country.
The key takeaways for anyone aspiring to this salary level are:
- Be Strategic: A wide range of fulfilling careers in healthcare, tech, business, and trades offer this level of pay.
- Invest in Skills: Whether through a formal degree, a trade apprenticeship, or professional certifications, specialized knowledge is your most valuable asset.
- Gain Experience: Consistently build your skills and track record to move from an entry-level to a mid-career pay bracket.
- Consider All Factors: Understand that your location, company, and area of specialization all play a role in your total compensation.
By making informed career decisions and continuously investing in your professional development, a $28/hour salary is not just a goal, but a stepping stone to even greater financial and career success.