Multiply the rate by scheduled paid hours and paid weeks for each option.
Schedule comparison
Part-time pay should be annualized using the real schedule.
Twenty hours at a high rate can pay less than forty hours at a lower rate. Convert both offers to the same annual gross basis.
Hours matter
What $20/hour produces at different weekly schedules
| Hours per week | Paid weeks | Annual paid hours | Annual gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 52 | 520 | $10,400 |
| 20 | 52 | 1,040 | $20,800 |
| 25 | 52 | 1,300 | $26,000 |
| 30 | 52 | 1,560 | $31,200 |
| 35 | 52 | 1,820 | $36,400 |
| 40 | 52 | 2,080 | $41,600 |
This table assumes every listed hour is paid and the schedule repeats for 52 weeks. Unpaid leave or seasonal shutdowns reduce the total.
Beyond the rate
Four benefits issues to check before choosing a part-time offer
- Whether health, retirement, or paid-leave benefits require a minimum average number of hours.
- Whether additional hours are available and how far in advance the schedule is published.
- Whether holidays, sick time, or vacation are paid or reduce annual income.
- Whether commuting, childcare, or equipment costs are proportionate to the smaller paycheck.
Do not use 2,080 hours
2,080 hours describes 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. A 20-hour schedule has 1,040 paid hours, and a 30-hour schedule has 1,560. Using the full-time number overstates part-time annual pay by a wide margin.
Compare properly
A practical decision sequence for part-time versus full-time work
Add paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave to the value of the offer rather than leaving them outside the comparison.
Estimate commuting, childcare, equipment, and schedule-related costs that change when weekly hours change.
Compare guaranteed hours with typical hours. A schedule that varies sharply has different budgeting risk from a fixed one.
Part-time income can change withholding, credits, and benefit eligibility. Use current official guidance or a qualified professional for your situation.
If the plan only works when every possible hour is available, treat that as a material risk.
Calculate your own schedule