How Many Work Weeks Are in a Year?

The calendar year contains 52 weeks, but you’ll typically get some off as an employee. Take a closer look at some typical estimates and strategies to gauge your number of work weeks. Additionally, learn what a workweek looks like in other countries and more insight into the four-day workweek option.

What is a workweek?

The US Department of Labor defines a workweek as a set period of seven 24-hour periods, occurring successively for 168 hours altogether [1]. That fixed period does not have to be the same as the calendar week. Moreover, it can start and end on any day or at any hour, provided it meets that definition. 

How much do you work within that work week? In the United States, labor law says a full-time worker can work 40 hours weekly at a regular pay rate [1]. After that, if you have to work more, your employer must pay you for overtime. We can credit the familiar 40-hour, five-day week to Henry Ford, who introduced this schedule at his Ford Motors in 1926.

How many work weeks in a year? 

The number of work weeks in a year will vary for each employee. Any given year contains 52 potential work weeks. However, you're generally entitled to paid time off for federal holidays in the United States. Additionally, you may be eligible for paid vacation days, depending on your employer.

The current federal holidays in the United States are [2]:  

• New Year's Day

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• Washington's Birthday

• Memorial Day

• Juneteenth National Independence Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Columbus Day

• Veterans Day

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas Day

Why does the number of work weeks matter? 

Understanding how many weeks you work in a year can aid you in several ways, including calculating your annual or weekly wages. You’ll also need to know this to effectively schedule time off and ensure you can meet your business deadlines. Knowing your workweek schedule can also help you to maintain a work-life balance.

Business owners and those in management roles need to know the number of work weeks for several reasons. For instance, when you own a company, you must know how to handle client requests, keep projects on track, manage schedules, and plan cash flow.

Do I work 50 or 52 weeks a year?

The US recognizes 11 federal holidays, leading many people to believe they work 50 weeks a year. That could be true for some people. However, many workers also get some vacation time every year. 

Even when you are starting, you might have access to a week or two off after six, nine, or 12 months. As you spend more time with your organization, you could earn even more paid vacation days. Naturally, the more time off you can take, the fewer weeks you work every year.

How to calculate your work weeks

When calculating your work weeks, you’ll also have to account for vacation time, holidays, and other days off. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “In 2021, more than one-third of private industry workers received 10 to 14 days of paid vacation after one year of service” [3]. 

To calculate your individual number of work weeks, follow these steps: 

1. Calculate total time off:

• Determine the total amount of time off you get annually, including paid vacation, holidays, and any other days off (paid or unpaid).

• For example, if you receive 80 hours of paid time off (PTO) per year, this translates to 10 days or two weeks (assuming an eight-hour workday).

2. Convert time off into work weeks:

• Convert the total number of days off into work weeks. If you work an average of eight hours a day and get 80 hours of PTO, that equates to 10 days or two weeks.

• Add any additional holidays or days off. For instance, if you also get five holidays off, this adds another work week (assuming a five-day workweek).

3. Subtract time off from total weeks in a year:

• Subtract the total number of weeks off from the total number of weeks in a year. There are 52 weeks in a year.

• In this example, you have two weeks of PTO and one week of holidays, totaling three weeks off.

• Subtract these three weeks from the 52 weeks in a year to get 49 work weeks.

Example calculation:

PTO: 80 hours = 10 days = 2 weeks

Holidays: 5 days = 1 week

Total time off: 2 weeks (PTO) + 1 week (holidays) = 3 weeks

Total work weeks in a year: 52 weeks - 3 weeks = 49 work weeks

So, in this example, you would have 49 work weeks in a year.

Typical work weeks outside of the US

The typical workweek outside the US can vary greatly depending on the country and industry. Here is the average standard amount of hours in a workweek depending on the country:

• France: 35 hours

• Australia and Denmark: 36.3 hours

• Mexico, Singapore, and Thailand: 48 hours

Holidays will also play into the calculations globally. In the UK, employees get at least 28 days of paid vacation (called “holiday”) per year.  Yet, in the US, companies are not legally required to provide any paid vacation time. 

The paid days off many Americans enjoy are federal holidays, such as Thanksgiving or July Fourth.

In countries such as Italy and Spain, a long lunch break of two-to-three hours can occur regularly throughout the workweek.

Pros and cons of a 4 day work week

Employers have been trying out different working hour schemes. One popular option is a four-day workweek. Japan’s government has moved to make it a national standard, while Scotland’s new first minister campaigned on a promise to do the same. In this schedule, employees may work four 10-hour days each week. 

Another attractive option, for the worker at least, is a 32-hour, four-day workweek. This approach has several advantages and disadvantages. On the upside:

• People typically report improved work-life balance as they have more time off to enjoy themselves. 

• Employees can also be more productive as they work less and come to work more refreshed and focused. 

• They are also more likely to use their third day off for appointments that otherwise might take them away from work. 

• Additionally, they tend to focus on high-value activities while at work for just four days.

Employers have also seen cost savings from reduced operating costs and increased employee retention. Offering a shorter workweek may also help widen the talent pool when the business is recruiting.

Still, the four-day workweek also has some drawbacks. On the downside:

• Some workers that have a 10-hour workday can lead to fatigue or burnout.

• Hourly employees may also lose income with this schedule due to missed overtime opportunities.

• It can challenge employers to coordinate schedules to ensure coverage throughout the typical business week.

• When employees want to work on different days to others, setting up time for real-time communication and collaboration can be tricky.

Next steps

While a calendar year has 52 weeks, the number of workweeks for each employee varies based on factors like paid time off and federal holidays. In short, this means the answer is unique for each employee. 

Now that you have some ideas about the workweek feel free to brush up on your job search skills. You could learn about Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters or Interview Research and Preparation with the University of Maryland faculty on Coursera.