Here at Workamper News, we see a broad spectrum of trade-for-site (and typically a few other non-monetary perks) configurations submitted by Employers. We make a recommendation of how many hours would be equitable, but we understand that each employment environment is unique.

For example, this subject was brought to light by an Employer who was promoting a trade out that equated to twice the cost of what they were charging the general public for a long-term site rental. It is a hard sell to any Workamper to discount his time to this level and also not one we can find justification for when questioned.

How do you go about developing your trade out value? Here is the simple formula we encourage Workampers to use when assessing an opportunity that involves a trade of hours.

The total you calculate should be at least equal to your long-term rate, or preferably less, providing your future Workampers the best rate possible.

If an Employer is asking for 40 hours/week for the RV site/perks, at federal minimum wage that calculates to $1,232.50/month the Workampers are “paying” for their campsite.  If that is what you are getting from the market, then yes, you could ask for it.

It will be a hard sell and one that will take additional marketing to justify it to a Workamper. They are going to evaluate your offer based upon the formula on the left and determine if it is one they would like to consider for their future.

Workamper News encourages every Employer to take a close look at their offering and determine it’s fair market value.  When you inflate your trade value it does nothing but hurt your recruiting and the reputation of your organization as a Workamper Employer.  You may save in the short run, but will most likely lose out in the long run.

Please take a close look at your trade out offer and put the pencil to it before you begin promoting the opportunity.  Then the next step would be to put yourself in the Workamper’s shoes and determine if this is an opportunity you would consider and actively pursue.
When you develop a competitive trade opportunity, you will enhance the number and the quality of future Workamper applicants.

Step One:

Total number of hours being requested from the inhabitants of the site.  For example, if employing a couple: 15 hours/week/person = 30 hours/week.

Take the total hours per week X 4.25 for the average number of weeks in a month.

Example:  30 hours X 4.25 weeks/month = 127.5 hours/month worked in trade for the RV site/non-monetary perks.

Step Two:

Take the total hours X hourly rate they would earn if working for paid wages.  This should either be the hourly rate you pay other employees, or use your state’s minimum wage if higher than the federal standard minimum wage.  For calculations purposes, we will use the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.

For example:  127.5 hours X $7.25 federal minimum wage = $924.38/month.

Spell It Out:

Don’t be afraid to put the value of your tradeout in your advertising! This makes “doing the math” easier for the Workamper, and allows you to assign the value instead of the Workamper possibly just guessing.

"Hourly wages are paid after hours worked for RV site are reached (hours for site approx 22/wk/couple). Compensation in addition to hourly wages includes FHU, WiFi, and laundry (valued at over $810/month)."

"...work roughly 20-32 hours per week... We provide RV site (valued at $700/mo, includes electricity & sewer), laundry, basic WiFi in exchange for 11 hrs/person/week. All additional hours paid between $8-$10 per hour (DOE)."

"Part-time averaging 12 hrs/week. Compensation includes FHU site (valued at $600/month) plus wage."