Employee Cost Calculator
TrueHireCost analysis: vacancy cost (work left undone while a role is open) and ramp-up productivity loss (a new hire reaching full output). Formulas, worked examples, and how they fit total hiring cost.
Open the CalculatorVacancy cost is the work left undone while a role is open. Ramp-up cost is the productivity a new hire has not yet reached.
Together they often exceed the visible recruiting spend — which is why hiring cost is so frequently underestimated.
The financial impact of leaving a position unfilled while searching for a replacement.
Daily cost = (Annual salary ÷ 365) × Productivity impact %
Vacancy cost = Daily cost × Days to fill
For an $80,000 salary, 45 days to fill, and 100% productivity impact: daily cost = $219, vacancy cost = $9,863.
The cost of reduced productivity while a new employee reaches full performance.
Lost productivity/month = Monthly salary × (100% − Productivity %)
Ramp-up cost = sum over the ramp-up period
For an $80,000 salary with a 3-month ramp (25%, 50%, 75% productive): roughly $10,000. Typical ramp-up: entry-level 30–60 days, mid-level 60–90 days, senior 30–60 days.
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.