Staffing cost is the total cost ofhiring and employing employees. It includes the cost of salaries, benefits,recruiting, and training. It can vary significantly depending on the industry,the size of the company, and the type of employees that are being hired.
For example, the cost of hiring asoftware engineer in Silicon Valley will be much higher than the cost of hiringa retail clerk in a small town. It is important for businesses to understandtheir staffing costs in order to make informed decisions about how to hire andemploy employees.
How to Calculate Staffing Costs
There are a number of factors thatbusinesses need to consider when calculating staffing costs, including:
- The salaries of the employees
- The benefits that are offered
- The cost of recruiting and training new employees
- The cost of employee turnover
- The cost of employee absenteeism
- The cost of employee productivity
By taking into account all of thesefactors, businesses can get a more accurate picture of the total cost ofstaffing.
Direct Staffing Costs
Direct staffing costs are the costsdirectly associated with hiring and employing employees. These costs include:
- Salaries and wages
- Benefits
- Recruiting and training costs
Salaries and wages are the mostsignificant direct staffing cost. The amount of money a company spends onsalaries and wages will depend on the size of the workforce, the industry, andthe level of experience of the employees.
Benefits are another significantdirect staffing cost. Benefits can include health insurance, life insurance,retirement plans, and paid time off. The cost of benefits will vary dependingon the type of benefits offered and the number of employees.
Recruiting and training costs are alsoa direct staffing cost. The cost of recruiting and training new employees canvary depending on the methods used to recruit and train employees.
Indirect Staffing Costs
Indirect staffing costs are the costsassociated with hiring and employing employees that are not directly related tothe salaries or benefits of the employees. These costs can include things likerecruiting and training costs, employee turnover costs, and the cost ofproviding employee benefits.
Recruiting and training costs can besignificant, especially for businesses that are constantly hiring newemployees. These costs can include the cost of advertising for open positions,the cost of conducting interviews, and the cost of providing training to newemployees.
Employee turnover costs can also be asignificant expense for businesses. These costs can include the cost ofreplacing employees who leave, the cost of lost productivity, and the cost ofdamage to morale.
The cost of providing employeebenefits can also be a significant expense for businesses. These costs caninclude the cost of health insurance, the cost of retirement plans, and thecost of other employee benefits.
Indirect staffing costs can add upquickly, and it is important for businesses to be aware of these costs whenmaking decisions about hiring and employing employees.
Overhead Staffing Costs
Overhead staffing costs are the costsassociated with supporting the overall workforce, such as the costs of officespace, equipment, and supplies. These costs are typically not directly relatedto the number of employees that a company has, but they can still have asignificant impact on the overall cost of staffing.
Some of the most common overheadstaffing costs include:
- Office rent or lease
- Utilities
- Equipment and supplies
- IT costs
- Benefits
It is important to factor in overheadstaffing costs when calculating the total cost of staffing, as these costs canadd up quickly. By understanding the different overhead staffing costs that acompany has, businesses can make more informed decisions about how to managetheir staffing costs.

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How to Reduce Staffing Costs
There are a number of ways to reducestaffing costs, including:
- Employment of temporary or contract workers. This can help to reduce the cost of benefits and other overhead costs.
- Outsourcing of certain tasks. This can help to reduce the need for full-time employees.
- Automating certain tasks. This can help to reduce the need for human labor.
- Reducing the number of employees. This is a last resort, but it can be an effective way to reduce staffing costs.
It is important to note that reducingstaffing costs can have a negative impact on the quality of work, employeemorale, and productivity. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider theimpact of any proposed cost-saving measures before implementing them.
Staffing Cost Benchmarks
Staffing cost benchmarks can helpbusinesses compare their staffing costs to those of other businesses in theirindustry. This can be helpful for identifying areas where costs can be reducedor for justifying increases in staffing costs.
There are a number of differentsources of staffing cost benchmarks. Some of the most common include:
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes data on average hourly wages for a variety of occupations. This data can be used to estimate the cost of hiring employees in different positions.
- The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) publishes annual surveys on staffing costs. These surveys provide data on the average cost of hiring, training, and benefits for employees in different industries.
- Vendors of staffing software and services often provide staffing cost benchmarks as part of their products and services.
When using staffing cost benchmarks,it is important to keep the following factors in mind:
- The benchmarks should be specific to the industry and the size of the business.
- The benchmarks should be based on current data.
- The benchmarks should be used as a guide, not as a definitive measure of staffing costs.
Staffing cost benchmarks can be avaluable tool for businesses of all sizes. By using staffing cost benchmarks,businesses can make more informed decisions about how to manage their staffingcosts.
Download Free Excel Template to Calculate Staffing Cost
For a practical approach tocalculating staffing costs, you can download a free Excel template from Shiftbase. This template can help streamline yourcalculations and provide a clearer overview of your staffing expenses.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed thedifferent factors that can affect the cost of staffing. We have also provided anumber of tips for reducing staffing costs. By understanding the differentfactors that can affect the cost of staffing, businesses can make more informeddecisions about how to hire and employ employees.







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