Is it better to get paid hourly or salary?

Looking at wages in terms of yearly salary will simplify your life, it will let you know how much money you have and what you can afford. More importantly it will change your mind set about your career, you’ll start to think of what the job can provide.

For instance, if a job offers $41,600/year that is the equivalent of $20/hour ($20/hour x 40 hours x 52 weeks). If the job is salaried, you will probably get less limitations on your time (you’re responsible for getting your work done) and benefits (paid vacation, medical ins. etc.) If the job is hourly, you must work the hours they tell you and if you don’t work you don’t get paid.

Bills are often in monthly increments: electric bill, water bills, car payments etc. are all charged monthly. Most salaried jobs are posted in monthly or yearly amounts. So, in our example above $41,600 is $3467/month. You now can calculate how much you can afford; you know what your monthly bills are, and you know what your monthly salary is.

Don’t get caught up in the calculations of how many hours will I get and how much will they pay per hour. Target jobs that will clearly state your yearly wages. It will be much simpler and better for you.