Commercial guide
How much should you charge for laser cutting?
Start with the cost floor, then decide the market price. The calculator tells you what the job must cover; it does not tell you what customers will accept.
Three pricing layers
- Cost floor: material, waste, machine time, labor, consumables and fees.
- Risk buffer: complexity, redesigns, customer revisions, fragile material and rush timing.
- Market price: what comparable custom products, local shops or buyers support.
Example quote path
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Direct cost floor | USD 42.50 |
| Complexity allowance | USD 4.25 |
| 35% margin | USD 16.36 |
| 3% fee gross-up | USD 1.95 |
| Suggested quote floor | USD 65.06 |
FAQ
Is USD 60/hour enough for laser time?
It depends on machine cost, productive hours, rent, labor, maintenance and local market. Treat any flat hourly rate as a placeholder until you calculate your own cost floor.
Can I ignore design time?
No. Custom jobs often spend more time in setup, file fixing and customer communication than in cutting.