Work days per week are required in order to calculate an equivalent hourly salary. For motion problems, we applied a formula concerning distance, rate, and time: In problems involving the rate of work, we will use a similar approach: Strategy. In this instance the regular rate is obtained by dividing the $405 straight-time salary by 45 hours, resulting in a regular rate of $9.00. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Structural iron and steel workers install iron or steel elements into buildings during construction. A rate is a ratio comparing quantities of different items.