Employer cost calculator: United States 2027
What an employee really costs in United States: gross salary plus mandatory employer contributions. A $75,000 yearly salary costs about $80,780 (1.08× gross).
Employer cost by salary
Federal payroll taxes only: Social Security 6.2% up to the wage base, Medicare 1.45% and FUTA.
| Gross per year | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security | $3,100 | $4,650 | $6,200 | $9,300 |
| Medicare | $725 | $1,088 | $1,450 | $2,175 |
| FUTA | $42 | $42 | $42 | $42 |
| Total employer cost | $53,867 | $80,780 | $107,692 | $161,517 |
| Cost multiplier | 1.077× | 1.077× | 1.077× | 1.077× |
| Employee take-home | $42,423 | $61,873 | $79,460 | $114,150 |
Excludes state unemployment insurance (SUTA, varies by state and employer rate) and benefits.
Employee side: United States take-home pay calculator.
GET /v1/employer-cost?country=us&gross=… — free API key, 1,000 calls/month.Questions
How much does it cost to employ someone in United States?
On top of gross pay, employers in United States pay federal payroll taxes only: Social Security 6.2% up to the wage base, Medicare 1.45% and FUTA. For a $75,000 yearly salary the total is about $80,780, or 1.08 times gross pay.
Does this include benefits or an EOR fee?
No. It covers statutory employer contributions and mandatory accruals only. Private health insurance, allowances, equipment and Employer of Record fees come on top.
Sources
- https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2027-taxpayers-continue-to-benefit-from-the-working-families-tax-cuts
- https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2027.pdf
Updated 2026-11-13. Estimates for planning only, not tax advice.