💰 Labor Burden Calculator
Calculate the true cost of labor including taxes, insurance, benefits, and overhead.
Why Labor Burden Matters
Your employees don't just cost their hourly wage. The "fully burdened" rate includes:
| Cost Component | Typical % of Wages |
|---|---|
| FICA (Social Security + Medicare) | 7.65% |
| FUTA | 0.6% |
| SUTA | 2-6% |
| Workers' Compensation | 5-20% |
| General Liability | 2-5% |
| Health Insurance | $400-1,200/mo |
| Retirement/401k Match | 3-6% |
| Paid Time Off | 4-8% |
| Training | 1-3% |
Quick Formula
Fully Burdened Rate = Base Wage × (1 + Burden %)
Example: $30/hour × 1.35 (35% burden) = $40.50/hour fully loaded
Common Burden Rates by Trade
| Trade | Typical Burden % |
|---|---|
| Laborer | 30-40% |
| Carpenter | 35-45% |
| Electrician | 40-50% |
| Plumber | 40-50% |
| Operating Engineer | 45-55% |
For Bidding
Always use your actual burden rate, not estimates. Pull real numbers from your accountant.
Interactive Calculator
Typical: 30-50% (includes taxes, insurance, benefits)