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Side Hustle Calculator

Your real profit and true hourly rate after expenses and taxes

This side hustle calculator shows what your side gig really earns after expenses and taxes — and, most importantly, your true hourly rate. Enter your monthly revenue, costs, and hours to find out whether the hustle is genuinely worth your time or quietly paying you less than minimum wage.

Tax set-aside is a simplified percentage of profit; actual tax depends on your total income, filing status, and state, and net self-employment profit over $400 triggers SE tax. This is a planning estimate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate side hustle profit?

Subtract your monthly expenses from your revenue to get gross profit, set aside taxes on that profit, and what remains is your net profit. Divide net profit by the hours you put in to find your real hourly rate — the number that tells you whether the hustle is actually worth your time.

Why is my real hourly rate lower than I thought?

Because revenue is not profit. After supplies, fees, software, ads, and taxes, the amount you actually keep can be a fraction of what came in. And when you divide that by every hour spent — including unpaid admin and marketing — the true hourly rate is often humbling. That is exactly why this calculation matters.

Do I have to pay taxes on side hustle income?

Yes. Side hustle income is taxable, and if you clear $400 in net self-employment profit you also owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) on top of income tax. Set aside roughly 25–30% of profit, and pay quarterly estimated taxes if it becomes significant.

What counts as a business expense?

Ordinary, necessary costs of running the hustle: materials, platform and payment fees, software subscriptions, advertising, mileage, a portion of your phone and internet, and equipment. Tracking them lowers your taxable profit, so keep receipts and records.

When is a side hustle worth it?

Compare your real hourly rate to what your time is otherwise worth. If a hustle nets $8/hour after everything, a few extra shifts at a $20/hour job may pay more with less risk. If it nets $40/hour and can scale, it may be worth doubling down. The number decides.