Labor Cost % Calculator
See what percentage of your sales is going toward payroll — one of the most important numbers to watch.
Why this matters: Labor cost as a percentage of sales tells you how much of every dollar
you bring in goes toward paying your team (including you, if you pay yourself a wage). It's one of the
fastest-moving numbers in a small business — a slow week can send it climbing even if you haven't changed
staffing at all — so it's worth checking regularly, not just once a year.
🔒 Nothing you enter here is saved or sent anywhere — everything calculates right in your browser.
1. Your Numbers
Use the same time period for both — a week, a month, whatever you track.
Wages, payroll taxes, and benefits for everyone on payroll — including yourself, if you take a wage.
If you add this, we'll also show your Prime Cost % — labor + COGS combined.
2. Your Business Type
Optional — lets us show you a general benchmark range to compare against.
Your Numbers
Labor Cost % of Sales
0%
Select a business type above to see how you compare to a typical range.
Labor Cost
$0.00
Sales Remaining After Labor
$0.00
Remember: These benchmark ranges are general industry guidelines, not hard rules. Your
right number depends on your location, your pricing, and what kind of business you run — use this as a
starting point for a conversation, not a verdict.