Use this calculator to compare the total cost of employing part-time versus full-time workers in a specific role. Enter simple details like hourly wage, benefits percentage, and hours worked to see which option is more cost-effective.

How To Compare Full-Time vs. Part-Time Costs

Cost Comparison Purpose

This calculator helps you evaluate which staffing model offers better value for your business needs.

It accounts for wage differences, benefits, and hours worked to give a clear side-by-side cost comparison between hiring a full-time employee or multiple part-time employees.

Formula Used

Total Cost = (Hourly Wage × Weekly Hours × Weeks Per Year) × (1 + Benefits %)

This formula is applied separately to full-time and part-time employee inputs to calculate and compare total annual costs.

Instructions For The Cost Comparison Calculator

Follow these steps to compare the cost of full-time and part-time employees for a given role:

1. Full-Time Hourly Wage: Enter the hourly wage you pay (or would pay) a full-time employee.
2. Full-Time Weekly Hours: Input the number of hours the full-time employee works per week (typically 40).
3. Full-Time Benefits (% of salary): Input the benefits load as a percentage of salary. A typical range might be 15%–35%.
4. Part-Time Hourly Wage: Enter the hourly wage for part-time workers (may be higher or lower than full-time depending on benefits, flexibility, etc.).
5. Part-Time Weekly Hours: Input the total number of hours worked by part-time employees each week (across all roles filling that job).
6. Part-Time Benefits (% of salary): If part-time workers receive any benefits, enter the percentage. Otherwise, enter 0.
7. Click “Calculate”.
8. Review the results: The calculator will show you total annual costs for both options and highlight which one is more cost-effective.

Use Cases For This Calculator

Reasons to Compare Staffing Costs

Optimize Hiring Strategy: Identify the most cost-effective way to fill a role based on labor costs and benefits obligations.

Budget Planning: Choose the staffing model that fits your financial plans while still meeting business needs.

Flexibility vs. Cost Tradeoffs: Evaluate whether the scheduling flexibility of part-time workers justifies any increased cost or efficiency loss.

Benefits Strategy: Understand how providing or withholding benefits for part-time workers impacts overall labor costs.

Staffing for Seasonal/Project-Based Work: Determine if part-time help is more affordable for short-term or fluctuating workloads.

Related Tools

Here are some related calculators and tools that may help with workforce planning:

• Contractor vs. Employee Salary Calculator
• Employee Cost Calculator
• Remote Work Cost Savings Calculator
• Freelance Rate Calculator

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only. Consult with your HR or finance department to determine the best staffing strategy for your organization.