What should I include as 'other work-related expenses'?

Anything you regularly spend to be able to work that isn't reimbursed — for example, required clothing, tools or a portion of a device you use for work.

Why does commuting count as time even though I'm not paid for it?

Because it's still time you commit to make your job possible. Including it gives a more complete picture of what your time is really worth.

Real Hourly Wage Calculator

Your advertised hourly wage is only part of the picture. This calculator adds up all the time you commit to work — including commuting, prep and unpaid breaks — and all the costs that come with it, to show an effective hourly wage.

Advertised hourly wage

Paid hours per week

hrs

Unpaid breaks per week

hrs

Commuting time per week

hrs

Both directions, combined

Prep / get-ready time per week

hrs

Other unpaid work travel per week

hrs

Weekly commuting cost

Weekly parking cost

Other weekly work costs

Clothing, equipment, etc.

$28.04/hr

Effective hourly wage across 48.5 hours committed to work each week — not just paid hours. This is not a tax-adjusted wage.

48.5 hrs

Total time / week

$40

Weekly costs

$1,360

Effective earnings

How this is calculated

We add your paid hours to any unpaid breaks, commuting time, prep time and other work-related travel to get your total weekly time commitment.

We subtract your weekly work-related costs (commuting, parking, and anything else you enter) from your gross weekly pay to get effective earnings.

Effective hourly wage is effective earnings divided by total time committed — not just paid hours.

Formula

Gross weekly pay = advertised hourly rate × paid hours per weekTotal time = paid hours + unpaid breaks + commuting + prep time + other travelEffective earnings = gross weekly pay − weekly work-related costsEffective hourly wage = effective earnings ÷ total time

Worked example

An advertised $35/hour with 5 hours of weekly commuting and $60 of weekly commuting costs might come out closer to $27.80/hour once that time and cost is spread across the true hours committed to work.

This calculator provides an estimate based on the numbers and assumptions you enter. It’s for general informational purposes and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, investment or credit advice. See our disclaimer and how we calculate pages for more detail.