How to Know If Your Shift Is Worth It

Beyond the Hourly Rate: Your True Shift Value

Your job pays $18/hour. But is that what you're really earning?

When you factor in commute time, travel costs, meals, and other expenses, your effective hourly rate might be much lower. Let's learn how to calculate your true shift value.

The True Hourly Rate Formula

True Hourly Rate = (Gross Pay - Work Expenses) ÷ Total Time Committed

This gives you a realistic picture of what each hour of work commitment actually earns you.

Calculating Total Time Committed

Your time commitment isn't just your shift hours. Include:

• Work hours – Actual clocked time
• Commute time – Both ways
• Prep time – Getting ready, changing clothes
• Unpaid breaks – Time at work but not paid

Example:

• Shift: 8 hours paid
• Commute: 45 minutes each way (1.5 hours)
• Getting ready: 30 minutes
• Unpaid lunch: 30 minutes

Total time committed: 10.5 hours

Calculating Work Expenses

Subtract costs directly related to working:

• Transportation – Gas, parking, transit fare
• Meals – Food you buy at work that you wouldn't buy otherwise
• Work clothes – Uniforms, safety gear
• Childcare – Extra care needed while working
• Other – Phone data for work, tools you provide

Example daily expenses:

• Gas: $8
• Parking: $5
• Lunch: $10
• Total: $23

Real Example: Is This Shift Worth It?

Shift details:

• Hours: 8 hours
• Hourly rate: $18
• Gross pay: $144

Time committed:

• Shift: 8 hours
• Commute: 1.5 hours
• Prep: 0.5 hours
• Unpaid break: 0.5 hours
• Total: 10.5 hours

Expenses:

• Gas: $8
• Lunch: $10
• Total: $18

True hourly rate:

($144 - $18) ÷ 10.5 = $12/hour

Your "18/hour job" actually pays you $12/hour for your committed time.

Comparing Two Shifts

Let's compare two job offers:

Job A: Warehouse

• Pay: $17/hour
• Shift: 8 hours ($136 gross)
• Commute: 15 minutes each way
• Expenses: $5 (gas)
• Total time: 9 hours
• True rate: ($136 - $5) ÷ 9 = $14.56/hour

Job B: Retail

• Pay: $19/hour
• Shift: 6 hours ($114 gross)
• Commute: 45 minutes each way
• Expenses: $12 (transit + lunch)
• Total time: 8.5 hours
• True rate: ($114 - $12) ÷ 8.5 = $12/hour

Job A pays less per hour but is actually worth more when you factor in everything.

When Short Shifts Aren't Worth It

Short shifts can have terrible true hourly rates because fixed costs (commute, prep) are spread over fewer paid hours.

Example: 4-hour shift

• Pay: $16/hour = $64 gross
• Commute: 1 hour (same as 8-hour shift)
• Prep: 0.5 hours
• Expenses: $8 (gas + coffee)
• Total time: 5.5 hours

True rate: ($64 - $8) ÷ 5.5 = $10.18/hour

The same commute and prep time makes short shifts much less valuable.

Factors That Affect Shift Value

Positive factors:

• Close to home – Less commute time and cost
• Longer shifts – Fixed costs spread over more hours
• Overtime – 1.5× pay significantly boosts true rate
• Provided meals – Reduces expenses

Negative factors:

• Long commute – Eats into your hourly rate
• Expensive parking – Direct cost reduction
• Required gear you buy – Hidden work expense
• Split shifts – Double the commute

Should You Take That Extra Shift?

Use this quick calculation before accepting an extra shift:

Estimate gross pay

Subtract extra expenses

Add up total time committed

Calculate true hourly rate

Compare to alternatives (rest, other job, etc.)

If the true rate is low and you're already tired, that shift might not be worth it.

How to Improve Your True Hourly Rate

Reduce commute:

• Carpool to split gas costs
• Bike if close enough
• Ask for shifts at closer locations

Reduce expenses:

• Bring lunch from home
• Use public transit if cheaper
• Find free parking nearby

Increase paid time:

• Take longer shifts when available
• Work overtime when offered
• Combine shifts to reduce commute frequency

Using ShiftWorth to Track Real Value

ShiftWorth helps you see the true value of your shifts:

• Track exact earnings – Know your gross pay instantly
• Add commute notes – Record travel time per shift
• Compare shifts – See which jobs pay best
• Overtime visibility – Identify highest-value hours
• Historical data – Analyze which shifts are most profitable

Make informed decisions about your time.

Summary

To know if your shift is worth it:

Calculate gross pay

Subtract work expenses

Add up total committed time (including commute and prep)

Divide to find your true hourly rate

Your advertised hourly rate isn't the whole picture. Some $15/hour jobs are worth more than $20/hour jobs when you calculate true value.

Track the full picture. Your time is more valuable than you think.