See the hidden costs in your current staffing model. This calculator reveals your fully burdened labor rate and shows you exactly how much you could save with WeCollabify’s transparent, all-inclusive pricing.
- True cost visibility: Understand what employees really cost beyond salary
- Benefits breakdown: See where that extra 29.5% actually goes
- Instant comparison: WeCollabify rates include everything – no surprises
Quick Start Guide
- Review or adjust salaries – Default values are based on Austin, TX (September 2025)
- Confirm benefits percentage – 29.5% is the U.S. average for architecture firms
- Compare hourly rates – See your fully burdened labor rate vs. WeCollabify’s all-inclusive rate
- Calculate savings – Green numbers are potential savings per hour and percentage
U.S. vs. WeCollabify Cost Calculator
Compare Your Fully Burdened Labor Rates to WeCollabify’s Hourly Rates
Global Settings
Benchmarking Employee Benefits Cost
| Concept | % of Salary | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance | 7.30% | Medical, dental, vision coverage |
| Social Security | 6.20% | Federal retirement/disability program |
| Medicare | 1.45% | Federal healthcare for 65+/disabled |
| State Unemployment Insurance | 0.40% | Varies by state, funds unemployment insurance |
| Federal Unemployment Insurance | 0.10% | Small federal tax for unemployment trust fund |
| Workers Compensation | 0.55% | State-mandated coverage for work-related injury |
| Paid Leave | 7.20% | Vacation, holidays, sick leave |
| Retirement & Savings | 3.30% | 401(k), pensions, employer contributions |
| Supplemental Pay | 2.00% | Bonuses, overtime, shift pay |
| Other Benefits | 1.00% | Life/disability insurance, wellness, miscellaneous |
| Total Employer-Paid Benefits | 29.50% | Total cost above salary; U.S. average for 2025 |
| Role | U.S. Salary | Benefits % | U.S. Total Cost | U.S. $/hr | WeCollabify $/hr | Saved $/hr | Saved % |
|---|
Owner Baseline
Your required hourly rate based on your salary and benefits.
Set the owner salary in the table above to update this number
What is U.S. Cost / Hr?
U.S. Cost/Hour is the fully burdened labor rate defined as the complete hourly cost to the employer for one employee, including salary, health insurance, mandatory payroll taxes (Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, workers’ comp), paid leave, retirement contributions, and other benefits.
*Default U.S. salary numbers are based on Austin, Texas salary data as of September 2025. Enter numbers for your own geographic location or your own company for the most accurate results.
Understanding the Numbers
- U.S. $/Hour: Your true hourly cost including salary, benefits, taxes, and overhead. This is what an employee actually costs you per billable hour.
- WeCollabify $/Hour Our all-inclusive rate. No hidden fees, no benefits to calculate, no payroll taxes. This rate includes everything.
- Savings The difference between your fully burdened labor rate and WeCollabify’s rate. Most firms save 40-60% per hour.
The Hidden 29.5%: Where Your Money Goes
When you pay someone $100,000, you’re actually spending $129,500. Here’s the breakdown:
- Health Insurance (7.3%) – Medical, dental, vision
- Payroll Taxes (8.25%) – Social Security, Medicare, unemployment
- Paid Leave (7.2%) – Vacation, holidays, sick days
- Retirement (3.3%) – 401(k) matches and contributions
- Other Benefits (3.45%) – Workers comp, life insurance, bonuses
The true cost is even higher as this doesn’t include office space, equipment, software, or management time.
Real Numbers, Real Savings
Example: Mid-Level Architect (AS II)
Your True Cost:
- Salary: $95,000
- Benefits (29.5%): $28,025
- Total Annual Cost: $123,025
- True Hourly Cost: $63/hour
WeCollabify’s Cost:
- All-Inclusive Rate: $37/hour
- You Save: $26/hour (41%)
For a typical 1,000-hour project role, that’s $26,000 in savings – enough to hire additional support or increase your profit margins.
Why These Savings Matter
It’s Not Just About Cost: The savings are significant, but the real value is flexibility. No long-term commitments, no hiring costs, no severance concerns. Scale up for big projects, scale down during quiet periods.
Reinvest in Growth: Every dollar saved is a dollar you can invest in business development, better design tools, and/or simply taking home more profit.
Focus on What Matters: Stop managing benefits, payroll taxes, and HR issues. Focus on design, client relationships, leading your existing team, and growing your practice. Get started today!