Calculator
Tech Hiring Cost Calculator
The only calculator built specifically for tech roles. Pick a role, seniority, and hiring channel; we apply realistic defaults from SHRM, Robert Half, Hired.com and Levels.fyi data and let you override anything that does not match your situation.
Role & basics
Hiring channel
Different channels have very different cost structures. Pick the one closest to how you plan to source.
Process & ramp
Total hiring cost
$82,035
56.6% of $145,000 salary
Hard cost
$53,035
Vacancy
$29,000
$/day vacant
$580
How this compares
SHRM's 2026 average cost-per-hire across all industries is roughly $4,800. Tech-specific cost-per-hire including the full picture (recruiter fees + interview time + onboarding + vacancy) typically lands 8 to 16 times higher. Your 56.6% of salary is above typical 2026 tech benchmarks (35-50%).
Methodology
The calculator is based on the SHRM/ANSI cost-per-hire formula extended for the unique characteristics of tech hiring: longer interview loops, higher-paid interviewers, longer time-to-fill, and longer ramp-to-productivity curves. Every component below is editable.
Recruiter / channel fee
Contingency agencies charge a percentage of first-year salary, paid only on hire. Default 22% (industry mid for 2026). Retained search defaults to 30% paid in three milestones. RPO models use a flat per-hire fee. In-house uses an internal recruiter time-and-tools allocation. Contractor-to-hire uses markup over straight cost plus conversion fee.
Interview time cost
Number of interviewers x hours per interviewer x $95 blended loaded hourly rate. The $95 figure averages senior IC + EM + skip-level + cross-functional partner pay rates in 2026. Override hours up if your loop includes take-home review or multi-stage onsites.
Onboarding ramp loss
Months to full productivity x 50% productivity gap x monthly salary. A 3-month ramp on a $145K salary is roughly $18,000 in opportunity cost. Senior engineers in unfamiliar codebases can take 6 months. Junior engineers in well-supported teams may ramp in 6-8 weeks.
Vacancy cost
Annual salary divided by 250 working days, multiplied by days the seat is open. A vacant senior SRE at $185K costs roughly $740 per day of unfilled work. This is the single largest hidden cost in most hiring budgets.
Other line items
Job board / advertising defaults to $1,500 (in-house) or $800 (agency). Technical assessment platform $300. Background check $200. These are rolled into the totals automatically.
Calculator FAQ
What is included in the SHRM cost-per-hire formula?
External costs (job board fees, recruiter fees, background checks, advertising, agency commissions) plus internal costs (recruiter salary allocation, hiring manager time, interview time) divided by the number of hires in a period. SHRM/ANSI standardised this formula in 2012 and updates the average annually. Most companies undercount internal costs by 30-50%.
Why does the calculator default to a $95/hr loaded interviewer rate?
Tech interview loops typically include 2-3 senior ICs at roughly $130/hr loaded, an engineering manager at $150/hr, a recruiting partner at $80/hr, and 1-2 cross-functional partners at $90/hr. The blended weighted average across a typical 6-7 person loop lands around $95/hr in 2026. Increase to $120 if your loop is heavy on principals and directors.
Should I include vacancy cost in cost-per-hire?
It depends on what you are using the number for. For comparing recruiting investments, exclude vacancy. For making the business case to the CFO that hiring matters, include it. The calculator separates the two so you can use either view.
How accurate are the salary defaults?
They reflect 2026 medians from Levels.fyi (verified equity-included), Hired.com 2025 State of Tech Salaries, and Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide for Tier 2 US locations. Tier 1 multiplier is 1.25x, Tier 3 is 0.85x. Override for your specific city or compensation philosophy.