How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose workers.
- Enter or choose hours per worker per day.
- Enter or choose days worked.
- Enter or choose hourly wage.
- Enter or choose employer on-costs.
- The total labour cost updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
Hours = Workers × Hours/day × Days; Wages = Hours × Wage; Total = Wages × (1 + On-costs%) + Other; Per area = Total ÷ Area
- On-costs
- employer costs on top of wages, as a % of wages
- Other
- fixed labour-related costs for the job
- Area
- hectares or acres covered (results use the same unit)
Worked example
- Hours = 4 × 8 × 5 = 160; wages = 160 × 15 = 2,400.
- On-costs = 2,400 × 20% = 480; total = 2,880.
- Per hectare = 2,880 ÷ 12 = 240.
A four-person crew for a five-day week costs 2,880 including on-costs, or 240 per hectare over 12 ha.
What the result means
Use the per-hectare cost in crop budgets and to compare hand work with contractors or machinery. Hours per hectare is the figure to track across seasons, because it is unaffected by wage changes.
Assumptions and limits
- Every worker works the same hours on each day.
- On-costs are a flat percentage of wages.
- Overtime premiums and piece rates are not modelled; enter an average hourly rate instead.
- Statutory wage and payroll rules are not applied.
Questions
What goes into on-costs?
Typically employer payroll taxes or social contributions, workers’ compensation or liability insurance, paid leave and any benefits. The mix and rates depend on your country.
How do I handle piece-rate pickers?
Divide the total paid by hours worked to get an average hourly rate and enter that as the wage.