An hourly wage is the amount of money a worker earns for each hour they work. For example, if someone has an hourly wage of $15, they make $15 for every hour they spend on the job. This type of payment is common in many jobs, especially in fields like retail, hospitality, and manual labor. Workers with an hourly wage may also receive overtime pay, which is a higher rate for hours worked beyond a standard workweek. Understanding your hourly wage is important for budgeting and planning expenses, as it directly affects how much money you take home each pay period.