direct labor

American  

noun

1. labor performed, as by workers on a production line, and considered in computing costs per unit of production.

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Compare meaning

How does direct-labor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• direct labor vs. indirect labor

Example Sentences

He added that “robotaxis have a much higher value proposition in high-wage developed markets as a direct labor substitute for drivers.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

But using an estimate of about 30 hours of work to assemble a vehicle, Tesla would have a direct labor cost advantage of as much as $660 per vehicle over one of the Detroit Three.

From Reuters • Jul. 20, 2023

The governments of nearly all the combatants sooner or later assumed command of their economies to direct labor and resources to their war efforts.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

If the direct labor costs used are for 10 units, then all of your other numbers must be gauged to apply to 10 units as well.

From Encyclopedia.com • Feb. 5, 2018

This ratio, expressed as a percentage of direct labor, was applied to the direct labor cost of individual hats to determine the overhead charge to be apportioned to each hat.

From Men's Sewed Straw Hats Report of the United Stated Tariff Commission to the President of the United States (1926) by Commission, United States Tariff