Business
True Cost of an Employee
Wages are only part of it. Add payroll taxes, benefits and insurance to see the real number.
Your numbers
True annual cost
$67,718
- Employer payroll taxes (FICA)
- $3,978
- Workers comp
- $780
- Benefits and match
- $8,760
- Burden above wages
- 30.2%
- Cost per hour
- $32.56
2025 Social Security wage base of $176,100. Nebraska unemployment rates vary by employer, so plug in the rate on your notice.
True Cost of an Employee explained simply
Hiring someone costs more than their paycheck. You also owe payroll taxes, unemployment, workers comp and whatever benefits you offer. This adds it all up.
For example
A $52,000 job often really costs $65,000 or more once taxes and health insurance are counted, roughly 25% above the wage.
Words on this page
Want a second set of eyes on these numbers?
These calculators are estimates for planning purposes and don't account for every detail of your situation. Bring your results to us and we'll pressure-test them against your actual tax picture.
Talk to a CPA