ShiftPaybookHourly wage tracker: keep track of what you earn per hour
Published
Quick answer
An hourly wage tracker multiplies the hours you log by the rate in force on each shift and totals the result by pay period. Record every rate change with its date, keep tips and bonuses apart from hourly pay, and review each period to see your real average hourly income.
Your hourly rate is not always the whole story. Raises, premiums, tips and unpaid breaks all change what an hour is really worth, and a tracker lets you see that.
What does an hourly wage tracker do?
- Applies the correct rate to each shift.
- Totals hours and gross earnings for each pay period.
- Keeps tips, bonuses and adjustments on their own lines.
- Keeps a history of your rates.
How do I record a raise or a rate change?
Add the new rate with the date it starts. Shifts before that date keep the old rate, so you never overwrite history. ShiftPaybook stores your rate history, which means a closed pay period is recalculated with the settings that were in force at the time.
How do I work out my average hourly earnings?
Divide your total gross earnings for a period by your total paid hours.
| Measure | Example |
|---|---|
| Gross pay for the period | 950 |
| Paid hours | 45 |
| Average per paid hour | 21.11 |
The average is higher than the base rate because overtime hours are paid at a higher rate.
How should I track tips and bonuses?
Keep them on separate lines, apart from hourly pay, so you can see what the hours earned and what came on top. Some places have special rules for tips, so check your local rules.
What if I earn in more than one currency?
Keep each job on its own currency and never add the totals together. ShiftPaybook keeps a currency per job and never adds different currencies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my hourly wage from a paycheck?
Divide the gross pay by the paid hours for the same pay period. Use gross pay, not take-home pay, so the result can be compared with your rate.
Should I track gross or net earnings?
Track gross. It is the figure your hours and rate produce, and it matches the gross line on a payslip. Net pay depends on tax and deductions.
Can I track the rates of several jobs?
Yes. ShiftPaybook keeps a rate for each job, with its own colour and currency. The free plan covers one job and Pro covers unlimited jobs.
Can I keep a history of my rates in ShiftPaybook?
Yes. Rate history is kept, so earlier pay periods are recalculated with the rates that applied then.
Sources
Public bodies and Apple documentation that this guide draws on:
- GOV.UK: Payslips
- U.S. Department of Labor: Recordkeeping under the FLSA (Fact Sheet 21)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Hours worked under the FLSA (Fact Sheet 22)
General information only, not legal, tax or payroll advice. Rules differ by country, region, contract and employer, so check your local rules before relying on a figure.