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Labor Burden Calculator

Enter your employee's hourly rate, workers' comp rate, benefits, and other costs to see exactly what they cost you per hour, per month, and per year — with a full line-item breakdown.

How This Calculator Works

Enter the employee's hourly rate, hours per week, workers' comp rate, health insurance cost, retirement match percentage, PTO days, and any other monthly costs. The calculator adds it all up.

You'll see the true cost per hour, total annual cost, burden rate as a percentage, and a full line-item breakdown of every dollar of employer burden — from payroll taxes to benefits to PTO.

Most contractors know their workers' pay rate but not their true cost. This calculator shows you the full picture so you can price jobs accurately and stop leaving money on the table.

Enter Employee Details

Typically 5–15% for construction trades

Employer portion of health insurance premiums

Uniforms, training, tools, phone, etc.

Your results will appear here

Enter employee details to see the full labor burden breakdown.

Know Your True Labor Cost

Every dollar you don't account for in labor costs is a dollar that comes out of your profit. This calculator makes sure you catch every cost.

Every Cost Itemized

See exactly where your money goes — Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, SUTA, workers' comp, health insurance, retirement match, PTO, and any other costs you have.

True Hourly Rate

Turn your base hourly wage into the real cost per hour. Most contractors are surprised to find out their $28/hr worker actually costs $38–$42/hr.

Bid Jobs Accurately

When you know your true labor cost, you can price jobs right. No more losing money because you forgot to factor in workers' comp or taxes.

Ready to Stop Wasting Time on Payroll?

Join over 500 contractors who track piece work, run payroll, and control job costs with Piece Work Pro. Free to start — no credit card required.