Most salary conversations break down because people compare annual numbers to hourly expectations without converting correctly.
Formula:
Hourly Rate = Annual Salary / (Hours per Week × Weeks per Year)
Example:
$60,000 salary, 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year
= $60,000 / (40 × 52)
= $60,000 / 2,080
= $28.85/hour
If you work fewer weeks (vacation, contract gaps, unpaid leave), your effective hourly rate changes.
If you work overtime frequently, your realized income profile changes again.
3 takeaways
Annual salary alone is not enough; hours and weeks define true hourly value.
Use the same assumptions when comparing offers.
Always separate gross conversion from tax withholding.
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https://salaryswitch.pages.dev