Real Hourly Wage Calculator

Calculate your true hourly wage by factoring in commute time, prep time and work-related expenses.

Real Hourly Wage Calculator

Nominal Rate
$28.85/hr
Real Hourly Wage
$23.32/hr
Lost per Hour
-$5.52

Formula

Real Rate = (Salary − Expenses) ÷ (Work + Commute + Prep Hours)

Example: $60K salary − $3K expenses ÷ (40+5+2 hrs × 52) = $22.05 real hourly

Frequently Asked Questions

What expenses count?

Include commuting costs, work clothes, meals, professional tools, and licensing fees.

Why does commute time matter?

Time spent commuting is time spent because of your job — including it reveals your true hourly compensation.