Unpaid Wages Calculator — Estimate Missing Pay

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 how much you're owed. Also covers unpaid overtime scenarios with manual rate adjustment.

Formula: Unpaid wages = (hours worked − hours paid) × hourly rate. Example: 40 hours worked, 35 paid, at $18/hr = $90 owed. For overtime, enter your overtime rate (hourly × 1.5) instead of regular rate.

On this page: 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: —

Save this estimate: Email yourself a copy of your unpaid wage calculation (inputs + results) and general next-step info. No spam.

We'll send a copy of your numbers and general next steps. Informational use only.

Think you're owed unpaid wages? An employment attorney can review your situation for free — wage theft cases are among the most commonly won claims, and most attorneys work on contingency. Get a free attorney review →

Legal context: Read about unpaid wages laws and employee rights before speaking with a labor board or employment attorney.

Employer ignoring your wage claim? A written demand letter puts them on formal notice and is often the first step before filing with a labor board — and frequently resolves disputes without escalating. Create a wage demand letter →

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:

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).

Estimating Unpaid Overtime Using This Calculator

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:

  1. Calculate your overtime rate (regular hourly rate × 1.5)
  2. Enter overtime hours worked in "Total hours worked"
  3. Enter overtime hours paid in "Hours already paid"
  4. 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:

  1. Write down the pay period dates you’re checking
  2. Record total hours worked vs hours paid for each period
  3. Multiply unpaid hours by your hourly rate
  4. 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.

We’ll send a copy of your numbers and general next steps. Informational use only.

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:

Not sure if you're underpaid? Use the Minimum Wage Underpayment Calculator to check if your rate falls below the legal minimum, or the Back Pay Calculator if you were paid at the wrong rate across multiple pay periods.

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.

Can I use this as an unpaid overtime calculator?

Yes. To estimate unpaid overtime, calculate your overtime rate (regular rate × 1.5), enter your overtime hours worked in "Total hours worked," overtime hours paid in "Hours already paid," and your overtime rate in "Hourly rate." For automatic overtime rate calculation and scenarios involving both regular and overtime hours, use the dedicated Overtime Pay Calculator.

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.