The 9% Contractor

The Toolbox

Small tools that answer the questions that cost men money. No fluff, no sign-up to use the first one. Built on thirty-four years in the trades.

← Back to the worth calculator
Free · no email needed

Markup is not margin

Most men use these two words like they mean the same thing. They don't, and the difference is real money. Put your numbers in and see it.

The percent you add on top of what the job costs you.
Materials and labor together. Your cost, not the price.
-
-
The 9% Contractor · yesterdaysmedicine.com/worth

Free · unlocked with your email

What a man really costs you

His wage is not his cost. Payroll taxes, unemployment and workers comp ride on top of every hour, before you buy him a single benefit. Here's the real number.

His straight hourly wage, before anything else.
Sets the workers comp rate. It's the biggest difference between trades.
Tennessee rates are loaded. Other states run different.
Health, retirement, paid days off - anything past his wage.
The bills that come whether you work or not, as a percent of sales.
-
-
The 9% Contractor · yesterdaysmedicine.com/worth

Still standing.
John

Yesterday's medicine is today's cure.

Where the numbers come from. Employer payroll taxes: Social Security and Medicare 7.65% (IRS, 2026 - Social Security capped at the $184,500 wage base). Federal unemployment $42 a year per employee (FUTA, 0.6% of the first $7,000). Tennessee unemployment $189 a year per employee (TN new-employer rate 2.7% of the first $7,000, 2026). Workers comp rates are Tennessee carrier ranges for 2025, per $100 of payroll - this tool uses the middle of each trade's range. Benefits figure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, March 2026: construction benefits $15.69 an hour on wages of $35.54, less $4.36 of legally-required cost already counted above. Yearly costs are spread over 2,080 hours.

This is an estimate, not tax or insurance advice. Your real workers comp rate is on your policy and depends on your claims history. Overtime, per-diem, bonuses and tool allowances all move this. Check your numbers against your own books and your own agent.