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Labor Cost Calculator

Quick answer

This calculator computes total labor costs including wages, benefits, and overhead.

  • Our free labor cost calculator helps businesses budget for employees, determine true employment

Figures are estimates from this calculator’s standard formula — adjust the inputs in the tool below for your exact number.

How to Use This Business Calculator

This tool provides accurate and fast results. Follow the steps below to perform the calculation.

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Use Cases

Hiring Decisions

Understand true cost of adding headcount to make informed hiring decisions.

Project Bidding

Accurately calculate labor costs when quoting projects to ensure profitability.

Budget Planning

Forecast annual labor costs including raises, bonuses, and benefit increases.

Pricing Strategy

Ensure product/service pricing covers labor costs and desired profit margins.

Tips

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    Include all payroll taxes and benefits

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    Factor in PTO and holiday pay

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    Add workers compensation insurance

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    Account for overtime premiums

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    Include training and onboarding costs

Common Mistakes

  • Only calculating base wages

  • Forgetting workers compensation

  • Not including PTO cost

  • Ignoring overtime premiums

FAQs

What is included in fully-loaded labor cost?

Fully-loaded cost includes base wages, employer payroll taxes (7.65% FICA + unemployment), health insurance, retirement match, PTO, workers comp, training, and other benefits. Total typically 1.25-1.4x base wages.

How much do payroll taxes add to labor costs?

Employers pay 7.65% for FICA (Social Security and Medicare), plus 0.6-6% for unemployment insurance, plus workers compensation (varies by industry, 1-10%). Total payroll taxes typically add 10-15%.

Should I include PTO in labor costs?

Yes, paid time off is a real cost. If employees get 15 days PTO per year, that's about 6% of their time paid but not working, which increases effective hourly cost.

What is a good labor cost percentage?

Target labor costs vary by industry: restaurants 25-35%, retail 15-30%, professional services 50-70%. Higher skill industries typically have higher labor cost percentages.

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