How Many Working Hours in a Year? [2024]

Inside: This guide provides information on how to calculate the number of work hours in a year. By understanding this, you can make sure you have work-life balance.

We all know that there are 365 days in a year. But how many of those days are actually considered working hours?

There are only 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, and 52 weeks in a year. So how many working hours are actually in a year?

The answer may surprise you.

In 2023, the average person works 38.5 hours per week (source). ¹ That’s equivalent to 2007.2 hours per year or eighty-three 24-hour days of work.

But not everyone works the same number of hours. In fact, there is a wide range of work schedules around the world. Employers, require some people to work more and others to work less.

So, how many working hours are there in a year?

How many working hours are Typically in a year?

There are typically 260 working days in a year.

Given in general, there are 52 weeks in each year and 40 hours per work day.

52 weeks * 40 hour work days = 2080 working days

A misconception with hours in a work year

It’s a common misconception that there are 2,080 work hours in a year, which is derived from 40 hours multiplied by the 52 work weeks in a year.

However, according to historical data, the average number of work hours in a calendar year is actually 2,088.

This number is arrived at by calculating the year-to-year fluctuations in working days over a 28-year period and rounding it down. To be more exact, there are 52.143 (365/7) weeks in a typical year and 52.286 (366/7) weeks in a leap year, resulting in 260-262 workdays and 2080-2096 work hours in any given year.

Thus, an average of 2088 work hours in an average year.

This is because the number of work days in a year fluctuates each year.

How to calculate working hours in a year?

Given everyone reading this works a different number of hours per week, you need to know how to calculate how many work hours in a year based on your work schedule.

Then, you can figure out how to make the most of your time off. Especially if you are looking into how to flip money!

By following these simple steps, you can easily calculate the average number of hours you work each year.

Step 1: Determine your weekly hours

You must determine how many hours you work each week.

Consider the number of hours you work daily if there is a variance in your hours from day to day.

• For example, if you work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, then you would work an average of 40 hours per week.
• If you work 8 hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and 6 hours on Wednesday and Friday, you would work an average of 36 hours per week.
• If you are clueless about how many hours you work for your employer, then use a tracking timer like Toggl Track to estimate your hours in the week.
• As an hourly employee, you can check your pay stub for the listed hours worked per week.

This will give you an estimate of the total number of hours you may work in a year if you do not take any time away from work for vacations or holidays.

You may be interested to know the number of hours in a school year, too.

Step 2: Multiply by 52 weeks

Now, that you figured out the average number of hours worked per week.

Multiply your average number of hours per week by 52 (the number of weeks in the year).

This will give you the total number of hours you may work in a year if you don’t take any time away from work for holidays or vacations.

Step 3: Account for Vacation or Holidays

Thankfully, many employers allow paid time off for vacations or holidays.

Calculate the number of paid holidays or vacation days you receive in a year. Multiply the number of holidays by the number of hours you work in a day.

• For example, if you get 10 paid holidays in a year and you work 8 hours a day, that would be 10 days X 8 hours = 80 hours.
• In addition, if you get three weeks of paid vacation or 15 days and you work 8 hours a day, that would be 15 days X 8 hours = 120 hours.

Step 4: Subtract to Find Your Hours

Now, take the total number of hours worked (from Step Two) and subtract the total vacation or holiday days you added up in Step Three.

• Using the 40 work week example, you would have 2080 working hours – 200 vacation/holiday hours = 1880 actual working hours.

• Using the 36 work week example, you would have 1872 working hours – 200 vacation/holiday hours = 1672 actual working hours.

The result is your average number of hours worked each year.

Work Hours by Month 2024

For 2024, there are a total of 262 days and 2096 hours in the work year.

Month	Work Days	Work Hours
January	23	176
February	21	168
March	21	168
April	22	176
May	23	184
June	20	160
July	23	184
August	22	184
September	21	176
October	23	184
November	21	168
December	22	176
TOTAL	262 days	2096 hours

In 2023, there are a total of 260 days and 2080 hours in the work year.

Does the number of working hours vary by country?

The answer is yes, the number of working hours can vary greatly by country.

Let’s take a look at the most extreme differences in the working hours between countries such as Mexico, where employees can work 48 hours in work week for a total of 2,496 work hours (source). Thus, Mexicans work the longest.

On the flip side, Danes prefer to stay within Denmark’s 37 hour official work week (source). Thus, Denmark’s employees only 1,924 hours a year plus working long hours is discouraged.

In the UK, you cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average (source).

According to Japanese Labor Law, which states employees are allowed to a maximum of 40 hours per week. (source)

In Canada, the standard working hours vary from 37.5-40 hours per week.

In China, they have a 996 work culture that is extremely common, which means working 9 am – 9 pm, 6 days per week for 3744 working hours per year. However, this practice is illegal because it is over the government’s 44 maximum hour work week or 2,288 work hours per year. (source)

However, it is important to note that these differences in hours worked do not necessarily lead to more productivity. An analysis of GDP data shows that Danes earn $55 more per hour than Mexicans, illustrating that time does not always equal money.

In conclusion, working hours vary by country and by industry.

It is essential to research and discuss working hours with your potential employer before accepting a job, to ensure that you are not overworking yourself and to ensure that you will be compensated fairly for your time.

How can I ensure a good work-life balance with how many hours worked in a year?

Knowing the number of hours you work annually allows you to determine how much time you’ll have outside of work.

This can help you evaluate your work-life balance, which is the balance you have between how much time you spend at work versus the amount of time you spend doing personal activities, such as sleeping, eating, spending time with your family or friends, and completing your hobbies.

Since there is a total of 8,760 hours in a year, most people average 24% of their time at their jobs and sleep another (8 hours * 265 days) 33% of their life.

So, you have an average of 3,760 hours for you!

Tip #1: Take Regular Breaks:

Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help reduce stress and give you time to recharge.

Set a timer to remind yourself to take short breaks each hour and get away from your work area. Taking a walk around the block or a quick yoga session can help you stay fresh and energized.

Tip #2: Go on Vacations

Taking extended vacations away from work can help you reset and refocus.

Make sure to plan for a few days or weeks of vacation throughout the year and take advantage of the time off to rest and relax.

Tip #3: Disconnect from Work

After work hours, make sure to completely disconnect from work and enjoy your personal time. Turn off your work phone and email notifications, so you won’t be tempted to check in with work.

Tip #4: Spend Time with Family and Friends

Schedule regular get-togethers with your family and friends. Having social connections can help reduce stress and make you feel more connected to the people around you.

Tip #5: Talk to Your Manager

If you are feeling overwhelmed with too much work, talk to your manager about reducing your hours or delegating some of your tasks. Your manager should be supportive of your efforts to maintain a good work-life balance.

Tip #6: Do Self-Care Activities

Self-care activities are essential for your mental and physical health.

Taking care of yourself should be a priority.

Set aside time each day to do something that brings you joy, such as reading a book, going to the spa, or practicing meditation.

Tip #7: Consider a job change

If you feel like you’re working too many hours, you can talk to your boss about reducing your hours or looking for a new job.

If you want more control over your schedule and workload, you can also become your own boss and start a side hustle.

Learn how to make money online for beginners.

FAQs

How many hours is 40 hours a week for 1 year?

To figure out how many hours are in a year when working 40 hours a week, simply multiply 40 hours by 52 weeks. This calculation gives a total of 2,080 hours in a typical work year.

52 (weeks) X 40 (hours) = 2,080 (hours per year)

How many hours is a 40 hour work week in a month?

This varies with the number of days in the month. However, on average there are 21 work days per month.

Thus, a 40-hour work week in a month is equal to 168 hours.

21 (work days) X 8 (hours) = 168 (hours per month)

You will work fewer hours in February than in any other seven months with 31 days each.

How Many Working Hours in a year do you average?

Knowing the number of work hours in a year is an essential factor for creating a better work-life balance.

By calculating the number of hours you work annually, you can evaluate your current balance between work and personal time, and determine if you need to reduce your hours or take more time away from work.

This can help you avoid feeling overworked and stressed, and allow you to enjoy more of your free time.

Additionally, understanding the number of hours you work in a year can help you budget and plan your finances, so you can make smart long-term decisions.

Overall, it’s important to know how many working hours are in a year so that you can start to understand the concept of time freedom.

So, how many hours worked in a year do you clock?

Source

1. U.S. Bureu of Labor Statistics. “Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey.” https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat22.htm. Accessed February 16, 2024.

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!