Tradie Hourly Rate Calculator Australia
Work out exactly what you need to charge per hour to cover your costs, pay yourself properly, and make a profit. Built for Australian tradies.
💰 What you want to earn
This is what you want to pay yourself — before business costs and profit.
Hours actually on the tools or at jobs — not admin time.
Deduct holidays, sick days, and slow periods.
🚗 Annual business costs (optional — add what applies)
📈 Target profit margin
20%Most financial advisors recommend 15–25% profit margin for trade businesses. This is the profit after paying yourself and all costs.
Enter your desired annual take-home pay to calculate.
How to calculate your hourly rate as a tradie
To calculate your hourly rate as an Australian tradie, add up your desired annual income and all business costs, then divide by the number of billable hours you'll work in a year. Add your target profit margin on top of that. Most tradies underestimate their costs and overestimate their billable hours — which is why so many feel busy but don't make the money they expect.
What hourly rate should Australian tradies charge?
Typical Australian tradie hourly rates range from $55/hr for cleaners and painters to $150/hr for licensed plumbers, electricians, and locksmiths. The right rate for your business depends on your costs, experience, location, and specialisation — not just what competitors charge. Underpricing to win work is a trap that leads to high volume but poor profitability.
Why your effective rate matters as much as your quoted rate
Your hourly rate only generates the revenue you project if you're fully booked. Every missed call, unconverted quote, and slow week reduces your effective hourly rate — because your fixed costs stay the same while your billable hours drop. The highest-leverage thing most tradies can do isn't raise their rate — it's capture more of the leads already coming to them.