Calculate your average cost per hire from internal and external recruiting expenses. Compare to industry benchmarks and find cost-saving opportunities.
HR staff time, ATS software, referral bonuses
Staffing agencies, executive search, placement fees
LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, social media ads
Criminal, drug, skills assessments, reference checks
Candidate travel, new hire relocation packages
Sign-on bonuses, equipment, training materials
Enter your internal recruiting costs — HR staff time, internal referral bonuses, and ATS software costs.
Enter external recruiting costs — staffing agency fees, executive search fees, and placement fees.
Add job board and advertising costs — LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and other paid postings.
Include background check fees, drug screening, and skills assessments.
Enter travel and relocation costs for candidates and new hires.
Divide by the number of hires to get your cost per hire. Compare to the SHRM average of ~$4,700.
According to SHRM's 2024 Talent Acquisition Benchmark Report, the average cost per hire in the US is approximately $4,700. This includes all direct recruiting expenditures. Some organizations also add indirect costs like manager time spent interviewing (typically 5–10 hours per candidate).
Internal HR costs: $8,000, LinkedIn job ads: $3,000, background checks: $500, no agency fees. Total: $11,500. Cost per hire: $1,150 — well below the SHRM average.
Internal costs: $5,000, agency fee: $25,000 (20% of $125k salary), job boards: $2,000, background: $500. Total: $32,500. Cost per hire: $6,500 — above average but efficient for executive roles.
Internal recruiting team: $180,000, job boards: $12,000, background checks: $5,000, relocation: $30,000. Total: $227,000. Cost per hire: $2,270 — economies of scale.
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