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Employer Cost Calculator

True cost of an employee incl. employer NIRuns in your browser

Total cost to employ
£34,463
Per month
£2,871.90
Employer NI
£3,750.00
On top of salary
14.9%
Per yearPer month
Salary£30,000.00£2,500.00
Employer NI (15% over £5,000)£3,750.00£312.50
Employer pension£712.80£59.40
Total cost£34,462.80£2,871.90

Doesn't include the Apprenticeship Levy (0.5% of a pay bill over £3 million), benefits in kind, recruitment, equipment or holiday cover. The Employment Allowance can't be claimed by companies whose only employee is a director.

These are estimates based on 2026/27 rates and the inputs you give. Your actual position can differ (other income, benefits in kind, tax code changes, scheme rules). This is not financial or tax advice.

Also works as:employer NI calculatorcost of employee calculatoremployer national insurance 2026

How it works

Worked example

Input: £30,000 salary, 3% employer pension on qualifying earnings.

  1. Employer NI: 15% × (£30,000 − £5,000) = £3,750.
  2. Pension: 3% × £23,760 = £712.80.

Result: £34,462.80 a year in total.

Sources

How to use

  1. 1Enter the salary.
  2. 2Enter the employer pension percentage and basis.
  3. 3Tick under-21 / apprentice relief or the Employment Allowance if they apply.
  4. 4See the full annual and monthly cost.

FAQ

What is employer National Insurance in 2026/27?

15% on earnings above £5,000 a year (£96 a week). For employees under 21 and apprentices under 25 it's 0% up to £50,270.

What is the Employment Allowance?

Up to £10,500 a year off an eligible employer's NI bill. Companies where the only employee is a director can't claim it.