ContractorMaths › 👷 Labour & Productivity › Crew Labour Cost Calculator

Crew Labour Cost Calculator

Calculate the total labour cost for a crew of workers on any job — handling different pay rates, hours and on-costs for each worker. Get true all-in crew cost for accurate job pricing.

Quick answer: Crew Cost = Sum of (Each Worker's True Hourly Cost × Hours). A crew of 3 (1 leading hand at $55/hr true cost × 8hrs + 2 trades at $48/hr × 8hrs) = $440 + $768 = $1,208 for the day.

🔨 Crew Labour Cost Calculator

Worker 1
Super + workers comp + leave ≈ 25–35%
Worker 2
Total Crew Labour Cost
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Workers
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Avg Cost per Worker
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📐 How It Works

Crew labour cost is the sum of each worker's true hourly cost (base rate plus on-costs) multiplied by their hours worked. On-costs include superannuation, workers compensation, leave loading and other employment costs — typically 25–35% of base wage.

True Hourly Cost = Base Rate × (1 + On-Cost Rate%) Worker Cost = True Hourly Cost × Hours Crew Total = Sum of All Worker Costs

📋 Worked Example

Leading hand $45/hr × 25% on-costs × 8hrs = $450. Two apprentices $22/hr × 20% on-costs × 8hrs each = $211.20 each. Total crew = $450 + $422.40 = $872.40 for the day.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Superannuation (11.5% in 2024-25), workers compensation insurance (3–12% depending on trade), payroll tax (if above state threshold), leave loading (17.5% of 4 weeks leave) and training levies. Total on-costs typically add 25–35% to the base wage. Always use actual rates from your payroll records.

Subcontractors are not employees — you don't pay their super or workers comp directly. However, you may have deemed worker obligations in some states. Check with your accountant. Subcontractor rates should already include their own on-costs in their charge-out rate.

If you pay employees for travel time (as required by many awards), include it in the hours. Travel between your depot and the first site is typically paid. Travel between sites during the day is always paid. Check the relevant Modern Award for your trade.

Most trade awards require 150% of ordinary rate for the first 2–3 hours of overtime and 200% thereafter. Use the Overtime Cost Calculator to calculate overtime cost separately, then add to ordinary time crew cost for the total.