5 Major Industries

Employee Cost Calculator by Industry

Calculate employee costs with industry-specific workers' compensation rates, turnover data, compliance requirements, and hidden costs. Select your industry for accurate 2025 hiring costs.

Highest Risk Industries
High workers' comp rates
Highest Turnover
Most frequent hiring needed

Calculate Costs by Industry

Restaurant & Hospitality
High Risk
Restaurants and hospitality have the highest turnover (70% annually), tip credit considerations, and minimal benefits. Workers' comp costs are high due to kitchen injuries, burns, and slip hazards.

Avg Salary:

$28K

Workers' Comp:

$145/mo

Turnover:

70%

Cost Multiplier:

1.32x

Common Roles:

Server (Tipped)Cook/ChefBartender (Tipped)+4 more
Construction
High Risk
Construction and contracting have the highest workers' compensation rates due to physical labor, equipment operation, and elevated workplace hazards. OSHA compliance and safety training are mandatory.

Avg Salary:

$55K

Workers' Comp:

$254/mo

Turnover:

47%

Cost Multiplier:

1.42x

Common Roles:

General LaborerCarpenterElectrician+4 more
Retail
Retail has the highest turnover rate (60% annually) with many part-time workers. Workers' compensation is moderate due to lifting, customer interaction, and slip-and-fall risks. Benefits packages typically minimal.

Avg Salary:

$32K

Workers' Comp:

$83/mo

Turnover:

25%

Cost Multiplier:

1.28x

Common Roles:

Sales AssociateCashierStore Manager+4 more
Healthcare
Healthcare has high wages, moderate-to-high workers' comp rates, and 21% annual turnover. Licensing, malpractice insurance, and continuing education are required. Benefits packages are typically comprehensive.

Avg Salary:

$65K

Workers' Comp:

$54/mo

Turnover:

21%

Cost Multiplier:

1.38x

Common Roles:

Registered Nurse (RN)Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Medical Assistant+4 more
Technology & Software
Tech and IT industries have the lowest workers' compensation rates and highest average salaries. Companies compete on benefits packages including stock options, unlimited PTO, and comprehensive health coverage.

Avg Salary:

$87K

Workers' Comp:

$34/mo

Turnover:

22%

Cost Multiplier:

1.45x

Common Roles:

Software EngineerDevOps EngineerData Scientist+4 more

Why Industry-Specific Calculations Matter

Workers' Compensation Varies Widely

Construction workers' comp averages $254/month per employee, while technology workers cost only $34/month - a 7.5x difference.

Using generic rates can lead to budget errors of thousands of dollars per employee.

Turnover Costs Add Up Fast

Restaurant/hospitality has 70% annual turnover vs technology's 22%. At $3,000 per hire, that's $2,100/employee vs $660/employee annually.

High-turnover industries need larger recruiting budgets built into costs.

Compliance Requirements Differ

Healthcare requires licensing, malpractice insurance, and HIPAA training. Construction needs OSHA certifications and safety equipment. Tech needs minimal compliance.

Industry-specific compliance can add $500-$5,000 per employee annually.

Benefits Expectations Vary

Tech companies offer 6% 401(k) match and unlimited PTO to compete for talent. Retail averages 2% match and 7 days PTO. Restaurant workers rarely get retirement benefits.

Industry norms determine minimum competitive benefit packages.

Average Industry Cost Range

1.28x to 1.45x salary

The cost multiplier varies by 13% between industries. On a $50K salary, that's a $8,500 difference.

Ready to Calculate Your Industry Costs?

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