Second Income Calculator (is a second job or dual income worth it?)

How it works

Take-home pay = gross pay × (1 − tax and social insurance rate). Net gain = take-home pay − childcare − commuting − other work costs − extra household costs − benefits lost. Gain per hour divides the net gain by paid hours plus commuting hours, which shows what the extra job really pays for the time it takes. The calculator does not value career progress, pension contributions or the household work time that changes; weigh those yourself.

⚠ Estimates for information only — not financial advice.

FAQ

Is a small or negative gain a reason to stop working?

Not always. Childcare costs usually fall as children grow, while experience, pension contributions and career options keep building. The figure shows today’s cash effect only.

Which tax rate should I enter?

The extra tax and social insurance caused by this pay, not your average rate. If one partner’s income changes the other’s deductions or credits, include that in “benefits or tax credits lost”.

Checked 11 Nov 2026. Household budgeting arithmetic: net pay minus the costs caused by working. Tax and social-insurance rates are your own input; check your country’s official tax tables or a payslip.