| Base Salary: | $'+salary.toLocaleString()+' |
| Payroll Taxes ('+taxesPercent+'%): | $'+taxAmount.toLocaleString()+' |
| Benefits: | $'+benefits.toLocaleString()+' |
| Overhead: | $'+overhead.toLocaleString()+' |
| Total Cost: | $'+totalCost.toLocaleString()+' |
';html+='Hourly Labor Rate: $'+hourlyCost.toFixed(2)+' (based on 2,080 hrs/yr)
';html+='Labor Multiplier: '+multiplier.toFixed(2)+'x base salary';html+='
Calculator Use
This employee cost calculation tool is designed to help business owners, HR professionals, and hiring managers determine the true "fully burdened" cost of an employee. Often, the base salary is only the starting point of the financial commitment. By using this calculator, you can uncover the hidden expenses that contribute to your company's bottom line.
To get an accurate result, enter the gross annual salary, the percentage of payroll taxes (such as FICA, SUI, and FUTA), the annual cost of benefits (health insurance, 401k matches, etc.), and any additional overhead like equipment or office space.
- Annual Base Salary
- The gross amount paid to the employee per year before taxes and deductions.
- Payroll Taxes (%)
- The employer's share of taxes. In the US, this usually includes Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), plus unemployment taxes. A common starting estimate is 7.65% to 10%.
- Annual Benefits
- The total annual dollar amount the company pays for health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and life insurance.
- Other Overhead
- Direct costs associated with the employee, such as computer hardware, software licenses, training, and office supplies.
How It Works
Performing an employee cost calculation requires summing all variable and fixed costs associated with a position. The basic logic follows the "Total Compensation" or "Fully Burdened" model. The formula used is:
Total Cost = Salary + (Salary × Tax Rate) + Benefits + Overhead
- Base Salary: The contractual gross pay.
- Burden Rate: The percentage above the salary that covers mandatory taxes and insurance.
- Fringe Benefits: Discretionary benefits that attract talent, often costing 20-30% of base salary.
- Direct Overhead: Costs that would disappear if the role were eliminated.
Calculation Example
Example: A company hires a Software Engineer with a base salary of $100,000. The employer pays 8% in payroll taxes, $15,000 in annual health and dental benefits, and allocates $5,000 for equipment and training per year.
Step-by-step solution:
- Base Salary = $100,000
- Payroll Taxes = $100,000 × 0.08 = $8,000
- Benefits = $15,000
- Overhead = $5,000
- Total Cost = $100,000 + $8,000 + $15,000 + $5,000 = $128,000
- Labor Multiplier: $128,000 / $100,000 = 1.28x
In this employee cost calculation, the actual cost to the company is 28% higher than the gross salary. This multiplier is critical for pricing services and budgeting for future hires.
Common Questions
What is a typical burden rate?
While it varies by industry and location, most companies find their burden rate falls between 1.2x and 1.4x the base salary. For highly specialized roles with extensive benefits, it can reach 1.5x or higher.
Should I include rent in overhead?
For a more precise employee cost calculation, you should include the cost of physical space if the employee requires a dedicated office or workstation. If the employee is remote, you might swap rent for a home-office stipend.
How many hours are in a work year?
The standard calculation uses 2,080 hours (40 hours per week × 52 weeks). However, if you want to calculate the cost per "productive hour," you should subtract vacation time, holidays, and sick days, which usually results in roughly 1,800 to 1,900 hours.