Whether you are converting an hourly wage to a salary or planning your year, it helps to know how many hours full-time work actually adds up to. The short answer is about 2,080 — but the real number depends on time off.
The standard 2,080-hour year
A standard full-time schedule is 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. That works out to 40 × 52 = 2,080 work hours in a year. This is the figure most employers and payroll systems use as a baseline for salaries and benefits.
Adjusting for holidays and PTO
The 2,080 figure assumes you work every single week with no time off. In reality, most full-time employees take paid holidays and vacation. Subtracting those hours gives a more accurate picture of hours actually worked.
Approximate paid hours vs. hours actually worked
| Scenario | Days off | Hours worked |
|---|---|---|
| No time off | 0 | 2,080 |
| 11 federal holidays | 11 | 1,992 |
| Holidays + 10 PTO days | 21 | 1,912 |
| Holidays + 20 PTO days | 31 | 1,832 |
Business days in a year
A typical year has about 260–262 business days (Monday–Friday). After subtracting the 11 U.S. federal holidays, roughly 249–251 working days remain. Multiplying working days by 8 hours gives a similar total to the weekly method.
Part-time and custom schedules
For any schedule, annual hours = hours per week × weeks worked per year. A 30-hour week for 52 weeks is 1,560 hours; a 25-hour week is 1,300 hours. If you want the annual salary equivalent of your wage, use the Hourly to Salary Calculator and set your real hours per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many work hours are in a full-time year?
A standard full-time year is 2,080 hours, based on 40 hours per week for 52 weeks.
How many working days are in a year?
Most years have 260–262 weekdays. After the 11 U.S. federal holidays, about 249–251 working days remain.
How do I calculate my own annual hours?
Multiply your hours per week by the number of weeks you actually work. For example, 40 × 50 (with two weeks off) = 2,000 hours.
Related tools & guides
This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Labor laws vary by state and change over time. Confirm your specific situation with your employer, HR department, or the U.S. Department of Labor.