Most conversions assume 40 × 52 = 2,080 hours. In reality Americans get ~10 paid holidays + 2 weeks vacation = ~1,960 actual working hours.

A $25/hour job isn't $52,000. Adjusted for real working time it's closer to $49,000 — and even lower after unpaid PTO.

Salaried employees often work 45–50 hours per week. That $80k salary at 50 h/wk is really $32/hour. Compare on real hours, not on the sticker number.