Chore Pay Calculator
How much should you pay your kid for that chore? Free, no signup.
How this calculator works
The calculation uses three inputs: an age-based hourly baseline (roughly $1 per year of age, following the common rule of thumb), a difficulty multiplier for the chore type, and the time the chore takes. We round to the nearest quarter — kids think in coins, not in decimals.
"Family contribution" chores (set the table, make your bed) are typically unpaid in most households — they\'re part of being in the family. Toggle that on and the calculator gives you a token amount in case you do want to pay something for them.
Why pay kids for chores at all?
The research is mixed, but the strongest signal is consistency: kids who do paid chores regularly score higher on responsibility and life-satisfaction measures into adulthood. The amount matters less than the ritual — the same job, the same pay, the same payday.
Outdoor chores pay more — here\'s why
The 1.4x multiplier on outdoor work matches the local-market reality. A neighbor would pay $20 for a kid to mow their lawn; they wouldn\'t pay $20 for the same kid to vacuum the living room. Weather, physical effort, and skill (gas mowers, snow blowers) all push outdoor pay higher than indoor.
When to pay above the calculator
Three cases warrant a premium: (1) the chore is unusually unpleasant for the age, (2) it requires real expertise the kid has built up, or (3) it\'s a one-time big project that benefits the whole family. A teen who organizes the entire garage in one weekend deserves a flat $50, not 4 hours × calculator rate.