Job Site Labor Cost Calculator
Estimate total job site labor costs including base wages, labor burden (taxes, insurance, benefits), overtime premiums, and productivity adjustments.
Workforce
Wage Rates
Includes payroll taxes, workers' comp, insurance, benefits. Typical range: 25–45%.Productivity & Overhead
Effective output vs. paid hours. 85% is typical for field labor. Added cost for on-site supervision as % of direct labor.Formulas Used
Regular Wage Cost = Workers × Regular Hours/Day × Days × Base Wage
Overtime Wage Cost = Workers × OT Hours/Day × Days × (Base Wage × OT Multiplier)
Labor Burden Cost = (Regular + OT Wage Cost) × Burden Rate
Burdened Labor Cost = Total Wages + Labor Burden
Productivity-Adjusted Cost = Burdened Labor Cost ÷ (Productivity % / 100)
Supervision Cost = Burdened Labor Cost × Foreman Uplift %
Subtotal = Productivity-Adjusted Cost + Supervision Cost
Total Labor Cost = Subtotal × (1 + Markup % / 100)
Effective Cost/Hour = Total Labor Cost ÷ Total Paid Hours
Assumptions & References
- Overtime is calculated at the selected multiplier (default 1.5×) per the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for hours beyond 8/day or 40/week depending on jurisdiction.
- Labor burden typically includes: FICA (7.65%), FUTA/SUTA (~3%), workers' compensation (varies by trade, 5–20%), general liability, health benefits, and paid leave. The 25–45% range is standard in U.S. construction (RSMeans, CFMA benchmarks).
- Productivity factor accounts for non-productive paid time (breaks, travel on site, weather delays, tool setup). An 85% factor is a widely cited industry average (MCAA, NECA labor studies).
- Foreman/supervision uplift reflects the cost of on-site lead workers or foremen who may not be directly productive. Typically 8–15% of direct labor.
- This calculator estimates direct field labor cost. It does not include materials, equipment, subcontractors, or general & administrative overhead beyond the markup entered.
- Prevailing wage requirements (Davis-Bacon Act, state equivalents) may mandate higher base wages on public projects.
- Reference: RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data; CFMA Financial Benchmarker; U.S. DOL FLSA guidelines.