Daily Wage Calculator
Calculate total gross pay and net take-home earnings for daily-rate contractors, day laborers, and substitute personnel. Account for days worked, extra overtime hours, and mandatory or voluntary payroll deductions to evaluate total earnings per billing period.
Contracted flat day rate per full scheduled day worked
Total days on the job during this pay or invoicing period
Extra hours worked beyond standard day length agreements
Supplemental hourly wage applied to overtime hours
Tax withholding, equipment rental, or payroll deductions for the period
Combined total of base day rates and overtime earnings before deductions
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your agreed daily pay rate.
- Enter the number of full days worked in the pay period.
- Enter any extra overtime hours logged beyond the standard workday.
- Set your overtime hourly compensation rate.
- Input total tax withholdings or payroll deductions to calculate your net wage.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
Base earnings equal the contracted daily wage multiplied by days on shift. Overtime hours are compensated at the supplemental overtime rate. Net take-home pay deducts equipment fees, taxes, and union assessments.
Worked Example
Film crew contractor working 10 days at $250/day with 5 overtime hours at $45/hr and $350 deductions
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a day rate differ from an hourly rate?↓
A day rate guarantees a fixed payment for a full day of work, commonly assumed to encompass an 8-hour, 10-hour, or 12-hour day depending on industry customs (such as film, photography, and IT consulting). Hourly rates compensate strictly for elapsed clock hours.
Are day rate workers entitled to overtime under US labor law?↓
Under FLSA regulations (29 CFR § 778.112), non-exempt employees paid a day rate are still legally entitled to overtime. The regular rate is determined by dividing total day-rate pay by total hours worked in that week.
What is a typical per diem payment?↓
A per diem (Latin for "per day") is an employer allowance provided to cover lodging, meals, and incidental travel expenses while away on business. US GSA sets federal per diem benchmarks annually.
What limitation should I keep in mind when calculating daily wages?↓
This calculator assumes flat manual entry for deductions rather than calculating complex progressive state and federal tax brackets, FICA ceilings, or local city payroll taxes.
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Open calculator →Source Citation & Disclaimer
Informational tool only; not licensed tax, legal, or financial advice.