What do you really earn per hour?

See what's truly left after commute time, lunch and work-related costs.

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{{ __t('official_hourly') }}
{{ fmt(result.officialHourly) }} €
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{{ __t('real_hourly') }}
{{ fmt(result.realHourly) }} €
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{{ __t('loss_per_hour') }}
−{{ fmt(result.lossPerHour) }} €
{{ result.lossPercent.toFixed(1) }}% {{ __t('less') }}
{{ __t('breakdown_costs') }}
{{ __t('commute_yearly') }}{{ fmt(result.commuteYearly) }} €
{{ __t('lunch_yearly') }}{{ fmt(result.lunchYearly) }} €
{{ __t('clothes_yearly') }}{{ fmt(result.clothesYearly) }} €
{{ __t('extra_yearly') }}{{ fmt(result.extraYearly) }} €
{{ __t('total_yearly_costs') }}{{ fmt(result.totalYearlyCosts) }} €
{{ __t('breakdown_hours') }}
{{ __t('work_yearly_hours') }}{{ fmt(result.workHoursYear) }} h
{{ __t('commute_yearly_hours') }}{{ fmt(result.commuteHoursYear) }} h
{{ __t('total_time_year') }}{{ fmt(result.totalHoursYear) }} h

What is the real hourly wage?

The "real" hourly wage is not just net pay divided by contract hours. It includes all the extra time and money your job costs you: commute, unpaid overtime, eating out at work, specialized clothing, training. What's left is what you actually earn per hour of life invested.

Why is this calculation useful?

Looking at the real hourly wage helps you decide better: Is the expensive commute worth €200 more in pay? Is the job offer with one extra hour of travel actually better? Does remote work make you wealthier even at the same gross? Often the real calculation shows that a few hundred euros gross more get fully eaten by the added burden.

Tips to boost your real hourly wage

  • Negotiate remote or hybrid work — saves commute time and money simultaneously.
  • Bring your own lunch — typically saves €80–150 per month.
  • When changing jobs, run the full calculation — don't focus only on gross pay; include commute, time and quality-of-life factors.