Employee Cost Calculator
Employee burden rate calculator guide with examples and benchmarks. Understand the true cost multiplier of employment.
Open the CalculatorPre-configured with your state tax rates. Adjust salary, benefits, and overhead to model your specific hire.
Total Annual Cost
$101,207
Loaded multiplier: 1.27× base salary
Open the interactive calculator to adjust every input and export a PDF report.
The burden rate (or loaded multiplier) is the ratio of fully loaded cost to base salary. A 1.30× burden means the employee costs 30% more than their salary.
Formula: Burden Rate = Fully Loaded Cost ÷ Salary. Typical ranges: low-tax states with minimal benefits 1.15–1.25×, medium-tax states with standard benefits 1.25–1.50×, high-tax states with generous benefits 1.50–2.00×. Hazardous industries like construction can exceed 1.45× because of high workers’ comp.
A representative $80,000 office/clerical employee with $650/mo benefits, 4% 401(k) match, and $3,000 overhead.
| Base salary | $80,000 |
| Employer FICA (7.65%) | $6,120 |
| FUTA | $42 |
| SUTA (state unemployment) | $405 |
| Workers' compensation | $640 |
| Benefits (health, dental, vision) | $7,800 |
| 401(k) employer match (4%) | $3,200 |
| Overhead (office, equipment, software) | $3,000 |
| Fully loaded annual cost | $101,207 |
| Fully loaded annual cost (multiplier) | 1.27× |
FUTA is capped at $7,000, SUTA at the state wage base, and benefits and overhead are largely fixed dollar amounts.
As salary grows, these capped and fixed costs shrink as a share of pay, so the multiplier declines. A $40,000 employee can carry a 1.45× burden while a $200,000 employee in the same state may sit near 1.20×. Use the calculator’s salary input to see the curve for your role.
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
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).
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.
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.
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.