What an hour really costs

One hour on the rota at the National Living Wage, and what stacks on top. The Corner Café, illustrative.

Twelve pounds seventy-one. That is the number on the rota.

Now build your own rota

Set your paid hours, rate, head count and your own pay. The page builds the year, the percentage, the contribution per customer and what is left.

Paid hours a week: 118 Average hourly rate: £12.71 Employees on the payroll: 4 Employment Allowance applies (ask your accountant) Your own pay a year: £24,000 Sales net of VAT a year (from Chapter 4): £249,634 Food and drink cost: 30% Other fixed costs a year (building, lights, everything else): £67,787

£14.55

true cost per hour on the rota

£89,275

employment cost a year (35.8% of net sales)

£170,163

contribution after food, drink and card fees (1.75% on 90% of takings)

£13,101

left before you are paid

After your £24,000: −£10,899. The café pays everyone but you.

Holiday at 12.07% of hours; employer NI 15% on pay above £5,000 per employee, less the £10,500 Employment Allowance where it applies; pension 3% on pay between £6,240 and £50,270 (all 2026/27, GOV.UK). Everyone is assumed to be 22 or over. Contribution assumes VAT off at the Chapter 4 mix and card fees of 1.75% on 90% of takings. Nothing here is advice about a particular business. Respects your reduced-motion setting.