Unpaid Wages Calculator — Calculate What You're Owed
Calculate unpaid wages for missing hours, off-the-clock work, unpaid training, or breaks you worked through. Enter hours worked vs hours paid to instantly see what you're owed. Also covers unpaid overtime scenarios with manual rate adjustment.
On this page: Calculate unpaid wages · Common scenarios · Unpaid overtime · Wage disputes · Underpaid vs unpaid · FAQ
Related help: Unpaid wages laws & employee rights · Unpaid overtime calculator · Unpaid breaks calculator · Meal break penalty pay
Unpaid hours: —
Estimated unpaid wages: —
Legal context: Unpaid wages laws and employee rights
Used by employees to estimate unpaid wages before speaking with an employment lawyer, labor board, or payroll department.
If you believe you may be owed wages, this calculator can help you estimate amounts before deciding whether to speak with an employment lawyer or contact a labor board.
Calculate Unpaid Wages From Missing Hours
This unpaid wages calculator estimates compensation owed when an employee was not paid for all hours worked. Unpaid wages may result from timekeeping errors, payroll delays, or incorrect wage calculations.
By entering the number of hours worked, hours paid, and your hourly rate, this calculator shows the difference between earned pay and pay received. It is intended to provide a clear estimate before raising a payroll correction request.
Workers commonly use this tool to document wage discrepancies before contacting an employer, filing a labor complaint, or seeking legal advice regarding unpaid compensation.
Common Unpaid Wages Scenarios This Calculator Covers
This calculator is best for situations where your pay is missing because the number of hours paid does not match the hours worked. Common examples include:
- Missing hours on a timesheet or paycheck
- Off-the-clock work (pre-shift, post-shift, closing tasks)
- Unpaid training time or required meetings
- Auto-deducted breaks that you actually worked through (see break tools below)
If your missing pay is mainly overtime-related, use the Overtime Pay Calculator. If your issue involves breaks, try the Unpaid Breaks Calculator or meal break penalty pay (where applicable).
Using This Calculator for Unpaid Overtime
While this calculator focuses on straight-time unpaid wages, you can use it for a quick estimate of unpaid overtime by adjusting the hourly rate manually. However, for accurate overtime calculations at 1.5× or 2× your regular rate, we recommend using our dedicated overtime calculator.
Quick method for unpaid overtime estimate:
- Calculate your overtime rate (regular hourly rate × 1.5)
- Enter overtime hours worked in "Total hours worked"
- Enter overtime hours paid in "Hours already paid"
- Enter your overtime rate (not regular rate) in "Hourly rate"
Example: If you worked 10 overtime hours but were only paid for 6, and your regular rate is $20/hour (overtime = $30/hour), enter 10 hours worked, 6 hours paid, and $30 hourly rate to see you're owed approximately $120 in unpaid overtime.
For automatic overtime rate calculation and scenarios involving both regular and overtime hours, use the Overtime Pay Calculator. It handles time-and-a-half and double-time calculations automatically.
How to Use This Estimate in a Wage Dispute
If you’re calculating back pay for a wage dispute, save your inputs and keep basic records so you can explain how you reached the number. A simple approach is:
- Write down the pay period dates you’re checking
- Record total hours worked vs hours paid for each period
- Multiply unpaid hours by your hourly rate
- Add totals across pay periods to estimate potential back pay
If your issue spans multiple pay periods (or includes repeated underpayments), use the Back Pay Calculator to estimate totals more clearly. For legal context, see unpaid wages laws and employee rights.
Save this estimate: Email yourself a copy of your unpaid wage calculation (inputs + results) and general next-step info. No spam.
What If I'm Being Underpaid (Not Just Missing Hours)?
This calculator focuses on missing hours — when you worked more hours than you were paid for. But what if you were paid for the correct hours, but at the wrong rate?
Rate underpayment scenarios:
- Paid below minimum wage — Use the Minimum Wage Underpayment Calculator
- Promised higher rate not honored — Calculate back pay using the Back Pay Calculator with rate differential
- Misclassified as exempt/contractor — See worker misclassification resources
- Overtime not paid at 1.5× — Use the Overtime Pay Calculator
Not sure if you're underpaid? Search "underpaid calculator" or "am I being underpaid calculator" to explore wage comparison tools, or check your state's minimum wage requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are unpaid wages?
Unpaid wages are earnings owed for work that was already performed but not fully compensated. This can include missing hours, underpaid hourly wages, unpaid training time, or work completed off the clock.
How do I calculate unpaid wages?
To calculate unpaid wages, subtract the number of hours you were paid from the total hours you actually worked. Multiply the unpaid hours by your hourly rate to estimate the amount you may be owed.
How far back can you claim unpaid wages?
How far back unpaid wages can be claimed depends on local labor laws and limitation periods. In many cases, workers may be able to recover unpaid wages going back several years, but deadlines vary by jurisdiction.
For situations involving multiple types of missing pay, such as unpaid overtime or delayed compensation, workers often review related tools like our Back Pay Calculator or browse the full wage calculators section.
Can I claim unpaid wages after quitting or being fired?
Yes, unpaid wages are still owed even if you no longer work for the employer. Leaving a job does not cancel an employer’s obligation to pay earned wages.
What if my employer refuses to pay unpaid wages?
If an employer refuses to pay earned wages, employees may document the discrepancy and request correction. If unresolved, filing a labor complaint or seeking legal guidance may be an option.
Does unpaid wages include overtime pay?
Unpaid wages can include unpaid overtime if overtime hours were worked but not properly compensated. Overtime calculations often require different rates and are handled separately.
What's the difference between unpaid wages and being underpaid?
Unpaid wages typically refer to hours worked but not compensated at all (missing hours on a paycheck). Being underpaid means you were paid, but at the wrong rate — such as below minimum wage, below your agreed rate, or without proper overtime premiums. Both situations may qualify for back pay recovery, but the calculation methods differ.
If you suspect rate underpayment rather than missing hours, use the Minimum Wage Underpayment Calculator or Back Pay Calculator depending on your situation.
Is unpaid wage compensation taxable?
Unpaid wages are generally taxable when they are eventually paid. The tax treatment is usually the same as regular wages and may be subject to standard payroll deductions.
Is this unpaid wages calculator legally accurate?
This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. It does not account for all labor laws, penalties, or exemptions and should not be considered legal or financial advice.
Not sure which calculator fits your situation? See all wage and pay calculators.