TrueHireCost

Employee Cost Calculator

TrueHireCost Editorial Standards

See how TrueHireCost sources, classifies, reviews, updates, and corrects employee-cost, payroll-tax, hiring-cost, and workforce benchmark information.

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These standards explain how every figure on TrueHireCost is sourced, classified, reviewed, updated, and corrected. The goal is simple: you should always be able to tell whether a number is the law, a published benchmark, a representative estimate, or our own editable assumption — and you should always be able to verify it. See the about page, methodology, and sources for the full picture.

1. Source hierarchy

When building an estimate, TrueHireCost prioritizes sources in this order:

  1. Federal and state government agencies — the IRS, SSA, U.S. Department of Labor, and state workforce/revenue agencies for statutory rates.
  2. Official tax and labor authorities — the publications and rate notices these agencies issue.
  3. Reputable primary research — surveys and statistics from federal statistical agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  4. Established industry research — recognized benchmark publishers such as SHRM and LinkedIn Talent Solutions.
  5. Representative estimates — practical ranges derived from available market or research data where no universal official benchmark exists.
  6. TrueHireCost modeling assumptions — editable defaults and formulas we create for estimation when no authoritative universal benchmark exists.

2. Classification system

Every figure is labeled with one of four classes, shown in every benchmark table so the distinction is visible at a glance:

Official statutory figure — a figure established by law or government agency.

Published benchmark — a value reported by a reputable external study or publication.

Representative estimate — a practical range derived from available market or research data, but not a universal official benchmark.

TrueHireCost modeling assumption — a value or formula created for estimation when no authoritative universal benchmark exists.

3. Data review

Important figures may be reviewed when:

  • Government rates change.
  • New tax-year guidance is released.
  • State rules change.
  • Benchmark sources publish updated research.
  • An error or outdated value is identified.

TrueHireCost does not claim a fixed review schedule unless one actually exists.

4. Corrections

Errors may be corrected when identified. If you spot an outdated or incorrect figure, please send a correction request through the contact page. We verify reports against the issuing authority’s current publication and update affected pages when a figure is wrong or stale.

5. Update dates

“Last updated” or “Last reviewed” dates should reflect meaningful review or content changes. We do not update dates artificially just to appear fresh — a date changes only when the underlying content actually changes.

6. Editorial independence

Affiliate or advertising relationships do not determine calculator outputs or methodology. Editorial content and ad placement are kept separate. If sponsored content ever exists on TrueHireCost, it is clearly identified as such.

7. Limitations

TrueHireCost provides estimates for informational and planning purposes only. Representative estimates vary by employer, carrier, classification, and jurisdiction, and modeling assumptions are editable defaults. Users should verify employer-specific figures with relevant:

  • Government agencies
  • Payroll providers
  • Accountants
  • Insurance providers
  • Legal or HR professionals

For more on how estimates should and should not be used, see our financial disclaimer. TrueHireCost does not invent named editors, review boards, professional certifications, or approval processes that do not actually exist.

Data Sources & Methodology

Every rate and formula is checked against the issuing agency before publication. Last updated 2026-08-24.

IRS

FICA, FUTA tax rate & wage base

U.S. DOL

FUTA credit, federal wage & hour

State Workforce Agencies

SUTA rates, wage bases, new-employer rates

BLS

Industry salary benchmarks & turnover

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fully loaded cost of an employee?

The fully loaded cost of an employee is the total annual cost to employ them: base salary plus employer payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUTA), workers’ compensation, benefits, and overhead. Using TrueHireCost’s current default assumptions, an $80,000 employee has an estimated annual employer cost of approximately $101,207. Actual costs vary by state, benefits, workers’ compensation, retirement contributions, and overhead. Under those defaults the loaded multiplier is about 1.27× base salary ($101,207).

How is the fully loaded employee cost calculated?

TrueHireCost adds employer FICA (7.65%), federal and state unemployment tax, workers’ comp (varies by state and industry), benefits, and overhead to the base salary. You can adjust each input for any U.S. state and industry.

What employer taxes do I pay on top of salary?

Employers pay 7.65% FICA (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), FUTA (up to 0.6% on the first $7,000), state unemployment (SUTA), and state disability insurance where applicable.

Is the TrueHireCost calculator free?

Yes. The TrueHireCost employee cost calculator is free to use, requires no sign-up, and works for all 50 U.S. states and 20 major industries.

For Estimation Purposes Only

TrueHireCost provides cost estimates for informational purposes only and is not professional tax, legal, or HR advice. Actual employer costs vary by experience rating, industry classification, carrier, and jurisdiction. Consult a qualified CPA, tax advisor, or HR professional before making hiring or payroll decisions.