---
title: "Hourly rate calculator: what to charge per hour | LocoTap"
description: "Start from the pay you need to take home. Get the rate to charge, with tax, costs and unpaid hours worked in, and a price for every service."
url: "https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate"
---

Free tool

# Hourly rate finder

The rate that pays you, and a price for every job.

[Find my rate](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use) [Try the sample](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use?kit=hvac)

- Free to try
- Saved only if you choose

Northside Heating & Air (Sample)

Charge at least

120/ hour

Price list

- Service call, first hour 1 hour **120**
- Furnace or air conditioner tune-up 1 hour 15 min **150**
- Install day 8 hours **960**

From 8,000 a month take-home · 25% tax · 70% booked · 26,000 a year costs

## Why owners use it

- A rate that counts every hour as paid Paid hours · 70% booked **Only the hours that get booked count.**
- Tax taking what you thought you’d made Take-home you want **It starts from what you keep, after tax.**
- Guessing what a new van does to your price What moves the rate **Each cost shows what it adds an hour.**

HVAC · works alone · Example

Why not charge what the others charge?

Worked out from the take-home, the van and the slow weeks instead. Nobody else pays for this van.

**120.00 / h** worked out, not guessed

## The lesson behind it

- [What should an hour cost?](https://locotap.com/learn/hour-price): Your pay is only part of the price.

## Where it fits

[All tools](https://locotap.com/tools)

1 Before the job

**Hourly rate finder** This tool

Same step

- [**Calls to return**](https://locotap.com/tools/calls)
- [**Missed call guide**](https://locotap.com/tools/missed-calls)
- [**Rebate finder**](https://locotap.com/tools/rebate-finder)

Gets its work

- [**Estimate & quote builder**](https://locotap.com/tools/estimate-builder)
- [**Flat-rate price book**](https://locotap.com/tools/trade-price-book)

**Every step of a job**

1. **01 Before the job**
   - [**Calls to return**](https://locotap.com/tools/calls)
   - [**Missed call guide**](https://locotap.com/tools/missed-calls)
   - **Hourly rate finder** This tool
   - [Flat-rate price book](https://locotap.com/tools/trade-price-book): Gets its work
   - [Estimate & quote builder](https://locotap.com/tools/estimate-builder): Gets its work
   - [**Rebate finder**](https://locotap.com/tools/rebate-finder)
2. **02 Agree it**
   - [**Renovation contract**](https://locotap.com/tools/renovation-contract)
3. **03 On the job**
   - [**Jobs**](https://locotap.com/tools/jobs)
   - [**Change order**](https://locotap.com/tools/change-order)
   - [**Job photos**](https://locotap.com/tools/job-photos)
   - [**Before and after photos**](https://locotap.com/tools/before-and-after)
   - [**Billable hours log**](https://locotap.com/tools/hours-log)
   - [**Van stock list**](https://locotap.com/tools/van-stock)
4. **04 Get paid**
   - [**Invoice maker**](https://locotap.com/tools/invoice-maker)
   - [**Money chase**](https://locotap.com/tools/money-chase)
   - [**What each job made**](https://locotap.com/tools/job-profit)
5. **05 After**
   - [**Home profile**](https://locotap.com/tools/home-profile)
   - [**Equipment warranty certificate**](https://locotap.com/tools/warranty-certificate)
   - [**Maintenance plan**](https://locotap.com/tools/maintenance-plan)
   - [**Review reply drafter**](https://locotap.com/tools/review-replies)
   - [**QR code maker**](https://locotap.com/tools/qr-code-maker)
6. **06 Back office**
   - [**Customers**](https://locotap.com/tools/customers)
   - [**Tax set-aside**](https://locotap.com/tools/tax-set-aside)
   - [**13-week cash flow**](https://locotap.com/tools/cash-flow)
   - [**Business card maker**](https://locotap.com/tools/business-cards)
   - [**Job post builder & checker**](https://locotap.com/tools/job-post)

## Questions

**Why not just double what an employee earns?**

Your rate pays your holidays, costs and unbooked hours too, so it works from the hours that get paid.

**Why do I type my own tax share?**

It differs from place to place. Last year’s tax over last year’s profit is a good start.

**What about sales tax?**

Type its name and rate, and clients see the price with and without it. Check the rule where you work.

**Where are my figures kept?**

Only where you choose: nowhere, on this device, or in your free account.

**How sure is the number?**

As good as the tax share you type, rounded up. Guidance, not tax advice.

## Free to try.

[Find my rate](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use)
