Payroll Burden Calculator
Calculate total payroll burden across multiple employees including FICA, FUTA, SUTA, health insurance, retirement, and workers comp using 2026 employer tax rates.
Employees
Employer Rates (2026)
FICA (6.2% SS on $176,100 + 1.45% Medicare) and FUTA (0.6% on $7,000) applied automatically.
Payroll Summary
Add employees and click calculate.
What This Calculator Does
This payroll burden calculator computes the total employer cost for multiple employees simultaneously, showing the per-employee and aggregate burden from FICA, FUTA, SUTA, health insurance, retirement matching, and workers compensation. It uses 2026 federal payroll tax rates including the $176,100 Social Security wage base.
The Formula
The payroll burden is calculated per employee and then summed. FICA is 6.2% Social Security (capped at $176,100) plus 1.45% Medicare (no cap). FUTA is 0.6% on the first $7,000. SUTA varies by state. The average burden rate expresses total burden as a percentage of total salaries across all employees.
Step-by-Step Example
Add employees
Employee A: $55,000. Employee B: $65,000. Employee C: $75,000.
Set employer rates
Health: $650/mo per employee. 401(k) match: 4%. Workers comp: 1.5%. SUTA: 3.5%.
Calculate per-employee burden
Employee A total: $55,000 salary + $14,661 burden = $69,661. Employee B: $81,635. Employee C: $93,610.
Review totals
Total salaries: $195,000. Total burden: $49,906. Total payroll cost: $244,906. Average burden rate: 25.6%.
Real-World Use Cases
Annual Budget Planning
Calculate total payroll burden for your entire team to create accurate department or company budgets.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Modeling
Model the impact of a 3% across-the-board raise on your total payroll burden, not just salaries.
New Hire Impact Analysis
See exactly how adding one more employee affects your total payroll costs including all burden components.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Budgeting only for salaries. A team of 10 employees at $60,000 average salary costs roughly $750,000 to $840,000 when you include the full burden.
Applying the same burden rate to all employees. Higher-paid employees have a lower percentage burden because FUTA and SUTA are capped at $7,000.
Not updating SUTA rates annually. Your state unemployment rate changes based on your company claims history.
Forgetting that FICA applies to bonuses and commissions in addition to regular salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accuracy and Disclaimer
Calculations use 2026 federal payroll tax rates. State-specific rates for SUTA, workers compensation, and disability insurance vary. Consult your payroll provider for exact employer obligations in your state.
Related Calculators
Employee Cost Calculator
Calculate the true total cost of an employee including salary, FICA, FUTA, SUTA, health insurance, retirement match, and workers comp using 2026 tax rates and benefit benchmarks.
Use CalculatorHR & CorporateOvertime Pay Calculator
Calculate overtime pay at 1.5x or 2.0x rates based on hours worked, with support for double time thresholds and annual overtime cost projections using 2026 FLSA rules.
Use CalculatorHR & CorporatePTO Accrual Calculator
Calculate paid time off accrual rates per pay period, track current balances, project year-end totals, and determine the dollar value of accrued PTO.
Use Calculator