Cost-plus and market-based pricing California Temps, a large labor contractor, supplies contract labor to building-construction companies. For 2009, California Temps has budgeted to supply 80,000 hours of contract labor. Its variable costs are $12 per hour, and its fixed costs are $240,000. Roger Mason, the general manager, has proposed a cost-plus approach for pricing labor at full cost plus 20%.

1. Calculate the price per hour that California Temps should charge based on Mason’s proposal.

2. The marketing manager supplies the following information on demand levels at different prices:

California Temps can meet any of these demand levels. Fixed costs will remain unchanged for all the demand levels. On the basis of this additional information, calculate the price per hour that California Temps should charge to maximize operating income.

3. Comment on your answers to requirements 1 and 2. Why are they the same or different?

Price per Hour Demand (Hours) $16 120,000 17 100,000 18 80,000 19 70,000 20 60,000