Is a One-Way Hour Commute Worth a $16/Hour Job?
When considering whether the potential job is worth the considerable commuting time, many variables must be taken into account. This article will explore various factors, such as hourly earnings, commute time, value of time, net earnings, and alternative employment opportunities. By evaluating these elements, you can make an informed decision about your career choices.
Hourly Earnings
The basic calculation for determining daily earnings from a job paying $16 per hour is straightforward:
Hourly Earnings Formula: Daily Earnings Hourly Rate × Hours Worked per Day Daily Earnings $16/hour × 8 hours Daily Earnings $128Commute Time
When your job requires a one-way commute distance of 1 hour and 11 minutes, the round trip takes approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. This significant time commitment should not be underestimated, as it affects your overall workday and personal life.
Value of Time
Consider how you value your time outside of work. If you assign the same worth to your commute as you do to an hour of paid labor, the cost in terms of monetary value is:
Value of Commute: (2 hours and 22 minutes) / 1 hour × $16/hour ≈ $38.67Subtracting the value of the commute from the daily earnings:
Net Earnings: $128 - $38.67 ≈ $89.33 per dayOther Considerations
Fuel and Maintenance Costs
Factor in the cost of gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. Assuming a rate of 0.55 cents per mile (a rough estimate), the cost for those additional 50 miles per day can be calculated:
Daily Fuel Cost: (50 miles × 0.55 cents/mile) × 2 $5.5Adding this to the commute value of time shows:
Total Commute Cost: $38.67 $5.5 $44.17 Adjusted Net Earnings: $128 - $44.17 ≈ $83.83 per dayJob Satisfaction
Consider whether the job offers career growth opportunities and personal fulfillment. Sometimes, even if the financial benefits of the job are slightly lower, the non-monetary benefits greatly outweigh the commute cost.
Alternative Options
Explore other job opportunities that may be closer to your current location and offer similar or better pay. Utilizing the commute time for another job, such as DoorDash, can also increase your net earnings.
Conclusion
If the net earnings after accounting for commuting costs and alternative work options are satisfactory to you, the job may be worth considering. However, if the commute significantly reduces your earnings or there are more favorable job opportunities available, it may not be the best choice.
In my personal experience, I drove for a retail grocery job to the Virginia/West Virginia border, a two-hour commute each way. While it required commitment, the net earnings and job satisfaction balanced out the costs.
In another example, if you could generate $40 per round trip through services like Uber/Lyft during your commute, your net earnings would be even higher. However, unless the pay were to significantly increase above $16 per hour in the next 2-3 months, it would not rationalize the time commitment.
Finally, as a resident of Atlanta, where traffic is notorious, my policy is to only hire people who live within a 12-mile radius for a 12-hour day at $12 per hour.