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Job Costing Calculator

Estimate the total cost, selling price and profit for a job using labor, materials, overhead and markup.

Your Details

Overview

A job costing calculator helps you estimate what a project will cost before you quote it. Enter your labor hours, hourly labor rate, material cost, overhead rate and markup to see the total job cost, recommended selling price and expected profit.

How it works

The calculator first works out direct labor cost by multiplying labor hours by the hourly labor rate. It then adds material cost to get direct cost. Overhead is calculated as a percentage of direct cost and added to get total job cost. Finally, markup is applied to the total job cost to estimate the selling price, and profit is the difference between selling price and total cost.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter the total labor hours for the job.
  2. 2Add your hourly labor rate.
  3. 3Enter the estimated material cost.
  4. 4Input an overhead percentage to cover indirect expenses.
  5. 5Add your desired markup percentage.
  6. 6Review the total cost, selling price and estimated profit.

Example Calculation

Labor hours

20

Hourly labor rate

$35

Material cost

$500

Overhead rate

15%

Markup rate

25%

Total job cost

$1,380.00

For a job with 20 labor hours at 35 per hour, 500 in materials, 15% overhead and 25% markup, the total job cost is about 1380 and the selling price is about 1725, leaving an estimated profit of about 345.

Frequently asked questions

What does this job costing calculator estimate?

It estimates the total cost of a job, the selling price after markup, the expected profit and the profit margin.

What is included in job cost?

This version includes direct labor, materials and overhead. It does not automatically include tax, delivery, finance charges or contingencies unless you add them into your figures.

What is the difference between markup and margin?

Markup is added on top of cost to set a price, while margin is the percentage of the final selling price that remains as profit.

How should I choose an overhead percentage?

Use a rate that reflects your indirect business expenses such as rent, utilities, admin, insurance and equipment spread across your work.

Can I use this calculator for service businesses?

Yes. If materials are low or not needed, you can enter zero material cost and use labor plus overhead and markup to estimate your price.

Why can the actual profit differ from the estimate?

Real projects can vary due to overtime, material waste, supplier price changes, delays, rework or scope changes.

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Assumptions and warnings

Assumptions

  • Results are estimates based on the values you enter for labor, materials, overhead and markup.
  • Overhead is applied as a percentage of direct cost only.
  • Markup is added on top of total job cost, not treated as profit margin.
  • Taxes, financing costs, discounts and unexpected changes are not included unless you add them into your inputs.

Warnings

  • This calculator provides an estimate only and is not accounting or financial advice.
  • Actual job profitability may differ due to waste, delays, price changes or unplanned costs.