How to Calculate Your Hourly Worth (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

How much is your time worth? Really worth? No, seriously. Put assign an actual number to it.

If you’re like me (and many other women), you might struggle to put a number on it. Maybe you think more about what you give rather than what you receive. Maybe you feel weird even thinking about your time in dollars. But understanding your hourly worth isn’t just about money—it’s about valuing your time, energy, and expertise. And for so many of us, especially women, that can be harder than it sounds.

Here’s the thing: your time is valuable. Whether you’re running a business, managing a household, or both, every hour you spend has a cost—and that includes the hours you spend doing tasks that someone else could handle. By learning to calculate your hourly worth, you can start making decisions that align with your goals, free up your time, and ultimately help you live a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Let’s dive in and explore how to calculate your hourly worth, why it matters, and how this simple mindset shift can transform the way you think about your time.

Why This Matters (Especially for Women)

Let me share a story. Back in the days of the 2020 pandemic, I started getting my groceries delivered—a small luxury, but one that felt monumental at the time. As a mom and business owner, I was used to running myself ragged: driving to the store, navigating crowded aisles, and lugging bags home. It wasn’t until I asked myself, Is this the best use of my time? that I realized something had to change.

Now, I know some people love grocery shopping, and that’s awesome! But for me, outsourcing this task freed up hours of my life—hours I could spend growing my business, playing with my son, or simply resting. It wasn’t just about convenience; it was about honoring the value of my time.

And yet, as women, we often struggle to see our time as valuable. We’re conditioned to prioritize others, to keep the household running, and to do it all without complaint. But here’s the truth: the time you spend managing your family, your business, and your life is just as valuable as anyone else’s.

By learning to calculate your hourly worth, you’re not just crunching numbers—you’re making a statement about your worth. And that’s powerful.

How to Calculate Your Hourly Worth

Ready to get started? Here’s a simple exercise to help you determine your hourly worth—and start thinking about your time in a whole new way.

1. Start with Your Income Goal

Think about how much money you want to earn in a year. Be ambitious but realistic. Let’s say your goal is $80,000.

2. Break It Down by Time

Divide your income goal by the number of hours you want to work in a year. If you plan to work 25 hours a week, multiply that by 52 weeks:

• 25 hours x 52 weeks = 1,300 hours.

• $80,000 ÷ 1,300 hours = $61.54/hour

3. Adjust for Expenses (Optional)

If you’re running a business, factor in expenses like taxes, software, or childcare. Subtract these from your income goal before dividing by your hours.

Exercise: Assign Value to Your Time

To start getting comfortable with this concept, make a list of tasks you do regularly—both at work and at home. Then, categorize them into:

• Tasks you love (e.g., creative work, time with family).

• Tasks you tolerate (e.g., bookkeeping, grocery shopping).

• Tasks you dread (e.g., cleaning the bathroom, yard work).

For the tasks you dread, ask yourself: Could someone else handle this for less than my hourly worth? If the answer is yes, consider outsourcing. And if you feel resistance, remember: outsourcing isn’t about laziness—it’s about creating space for what matters most.

Your Time Is Worth More Than You Think

Here’s another way to look at it: imagine if someone paid you for everything you do in a day—managing the house, coordinating schedules, handling childcare, cooking, cleaning, working. How much would that add up to? (Hint: a lot.) There’s even a calculator that estimates the dollar value of unpaid labor, and the results are eye-opening.

By thinking of your time as valuable—whether you’re earning money or not—you start to shift your mindset. You’re no longer just “doing chores” or “getting things done.” You’re making intentional choices about how to spend your time, energy, and resources.

Why This Isn’t Just About Money

Understanding your hourly worth isn’t about chasing a bigger paycheck or justifying every decision in dollars. It’s about reclaiming your time and energy. It’s about giving yourself permission to say, My time is valuable, and I get to decide how I spend it.

When you align your time with your values, you create space for what truly matters—whether that’s growing your business, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a quiet moment to yourself.

Start Valuing Your Time Today

Ready to make the most of your time? My Slow-Living Goal-Setting System is designed to help you prioritize your time and energy in a way that feels sustainable and aligned. With actionable tools and resources, it’s the perfect guide for creating a life (and a business) that reflects your values.

Click here to learn more and start building a life that honors your worth.

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What do you think about your hourly worth? Have you ever struggled to value your time? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re planning to reclaim your time and energy!