Direct Labour Rate Variance

It is the difference among the actual direct labour rate and the standard direct labour rate for the total hours worked.

Utilizing an equation, this can be implies as follows as:

Direct labour rate Variance = (Actual labour hours x Actual Rate) - ( Actual Labour Hours x Standard Rate)       

= (AHrs x AR) - (AHrs x SR)

= AHRs (AR - SR).

This is clear from the above equation that the direct labour rate variance arises because of the actual rate paid for the actual labour hours worked differing from the standard rate such was expected to be paid for those labour hours.