Estimate the market value of unpaid household and care work.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Unpaid Work Calculator?
Estimate the market value of unpaid household and care work. To use the Unpaid Work Calculator, enter unpaid hours per week, replacement hourly rate; it returns value per year, value per month, and shows them instantly as you type.
Where the Unpaid Work Calculator fits
Estimate the market value of unpaid household and care work. The main figure it returns is the Value per year, worked out from the values you enter.
It belongs with the other budget & planning tools. If you are comparing options or checking a result from another angle, try the Dream Come True Calculator, Car Depreciation Calculator or the Powerball Calculator.
How to use the Unpaid Work Calculator
- Fill in the fields. You will need Unpaid hours per week, Replacement hourly rate ($). Start with your real monthly figures, even if they are rounded. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Value per year, and the cards below show Value per month. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Unpaid Work Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Unpaid hours per week | 30 |
|---|---|
| Replacement hourly rate ($) | 20 |
Results
| Value per year | $31,200.00 |
|---|---|
| Value per month | $2,600.00 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Value per year: $31,200.00. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Unpaid hours per week from 30 to 36 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value per year | $31,200.00 | $37,440.00 | +20% |
| Value per month | $2,600.00 | $3,120.00 | +20% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Unpaid Work Calculator reports Value per year and value per month. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Results are only as good as the figures you enter; use real recent numbers. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why value unpaid work?
It shows the economic contribution of household work that never reaches a paycheck.
How do I start a budget?
List your take-home income, list every regular expense, and compare. Adjust until spending is below income with room for savings.
How accurate are cost-of-living indexes?
They are averages and estimates. Housing costs vary widely within a city, so use the result as a guide and check real rents and prices.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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