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True Cost of a New Hire Calculator

The salary is the headline — employer taxes, setup and overhead are the story. See what that hire really commits you to, and the rate that pays for it.

EXAMPLE NUMBERS
sample business shown
Hours they will actually sell — after leave, training and travel. 1,500–1,700 is typical.
Rent, vans, insurance, software ÷ billable hours — our charge-out calculator works this out.
WHAT THIS HIRE REALLY COSTS
Employer PRSI (11.15%)€5,018
Pension auto-enrolment (1.5%)€675
True employment cost (+13% on salary)€50,693
One-off setup (recruit + tools + tech + training)€2,900
Overhead they must carry (1,600 hrs)€13,600
YOU AGREED €45,000 — YEAR ONE REALLY COSTS
€67,193
That's €1,292 every week — 49% more than the salary you shook hands on. Ongoing: €64,293/year.
FOR THIS HIRE TO PAY OFF, CHARGE THEM OUT AT
€53.58/hr
Break-even is €40.18/hr — below that, the hire loses money. Year-one break-even revenue: €67,193.
Get the full New Hire workbook (Excel) — every rate editable →Staff Track shows whether every hire pulls their weight — 21 days free
Statutory rates are 2025/26 (PRSI 11.15% · NI 15% · Super 11.5%). Estimates only — confirm with your accountant. The full Excel workbook has every rate editable.
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