Keep Thinking
Free Tool

True Hiring
Cost Calculator

Calculate the real cost of hiring beyond just salary. Factor in benefits, taxes, recruiting fees, equipment, and onboarding time.

Cost Assumptions

%
$

Planned Hires (1)

$
True First Year Cost
$180K
1.50x salary
Base
$120K
Benefits
$26K
Taxes
$8K
Recruiting
$18K
Onboard
$8K

Total Hiring Investment

$120K
Base Salaries
$180K
First Year Total
$155K
Ongoing Annual

Key Insight: The true cost of hiring is typically 1.25x-1.5x the base salary in the first year. Ongoing costs (salary + benefits + taxes) are usually 1.2x-1.4x the base salary annually.

Get Hiring Budget Template

Receive a spreadsheet to plan and track your hiring budget.

Hiring Cost Factors

Benefits (15-25% of salary)

Health insurance, 401k matching, paid time off, and other perks. Varies significantly by location and company policy.

Employer Taxes (7-45% of salary)

Social security, Medicare, unemployment insurance. Much higher in European countries than the US.

Recruiting Fees (15-25% of salary)

If using recruiters or agencies. Can be avoided with strong employer brand and direct sourcing.

Onboarding Cost (4-12 weeks)

New hires aren't fully productive immediately. Factor in training time and ramp-up period.

Building a Team?

See what VCs find when they research your startup. AI-powered due diligence — free in 60 seconds.

Get Free AI Analysis