Calculate assembly cost, assembly time, or labor cost by selecting what to solve for and entering the two remaining values.
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Assembly Cost Formula
The assembly cost calculator uses labor time and hourly labor cost to find the total cost of an assembly job. You can also rearrange the same formula to solve for assembly time or labor cost.
- AC = Assembly Cost, in dollars
- AT = Assembly Time, in hours
- LC = Labor Cost for the Assembly, in dollars per hour
If you enter assembly time and labor cost, the calculator multiplies them to find assembly cost. If you enter assembly cost and labor cost, it divides cost by hourly rate to find assembly time. If you enter assembly cost and assembly time, it divides cost by time to find the labor cost per hour.
Illustrative Assembly Labor Rate Ranges
The ranges below are illustrative examples, not verified market rates. Actual rates vary by industry, skill level, location, overhead, and whether the rate includes only wages or a fully burdened shop rate.
| Assembly type | Illustrative labor rate | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Basic manual assembly | $15 to $30/hr | Simple fitting, packing, fastening, or bench work |
| Skilled mechanical assembly | $30 to $60/hr | Mechanical builds, equipment assembly, fixtures |
| Electrical or technical assembly | $40 to $80/hr | Wiring, panels, electronics, testing support |
| Fully burdened shop rate | $60 to $150+/hr | Rates including wages, benefits, overhead, tools, and facility costs |
Example Assembly Cost Calculations
Example 1: Calculate assembly cost
You have an assembly job that takes 6 hours. The labor cost is $45 per hour.
The assembly cost is $270.
Example 2: Calculate assembly time
An assembly cost is $360, and the labor rate is $60 per hour.
The assembly time is 6 hours.
FAQ
What is included in assembly cost?
In this calculator, assembly cost includes labor only. It is based on assembly time multiplied by the labor cost per hour. It does not include materials, tooling, shipping, scrap, machine time, inspection, or overhead unless those costs are already built into the hourly labor rate you enter.
What labor rate should you use?
Use the hourly rate that matches the purpose of your estimate. For a simple wage-only estimate, use the worker’s hourly wage. For a production or quoting estimate, use a burdened labor rate that includes wages, payroll costs, benefits, supervision, shop overhead, and other labor-related costs.
Can assembly time be entered as minutes?
The calculator uses hours. If your time is in minutes, divide the minutes by 60 before entering the value. For example, 30 minutes is 0.5 hours, 15 minutes is 0.25 hours, and 90 minutes is 1.5 hours.
