This tool is designed for managers juggling a growing workload. Instead of guessing whether overtime or hiring is cheaper, plug in real numbers and see the annual impact in seconds.
When Is Overtime the Right Choice?
As business ebbs and flows, managers often ask employees to work overtime instead of immediately bringing on new staff. Overtime can be a flexible way to meet short-term spikes in demand. However, chronically paying time-and-a-half can strain budgets and morale. Our Overtime vs Hiring Cost Calculator helps you determine when it makes financial sense to add another full-time team member.
The Cost Formulas
If employees earn an hourly wage of and receive an overtime premium of , the annual overtime cost for extra hours each week is:
Hiring a new employee carries both salary and benefits costs, represented as:
By comparing these values, you see the break-even point where overtime becomes more expensive than adding staff.
More Than Just Money
While dollars matter, consider worker well-being too. Excessive overtime can lead to fatigue, mistakes, and burnout. Employees may welcome the extra pay at first but grow resentful if long hours become the norm. Bringing in fresh talent can boost morale and provide new skills. On the other hand, hiring requires recruiting time and onboarding resources. It’s wise to look beyond the simple numbers before making your decision.
Example Cost Comparison Table
| Scenario | Overtime Cost | Hiring Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 OT hours/week | $39,000 | $55,000 |
| 25 OT hours/week | $97,500 | $55,000 |
In this example, ten hours of weekly overtime remains cheaper than hiring. At 25 hours, bringing on another worker saves money and eases the burden on existing staff. Use your real wages and benefits to see how the calculation plays out for your organization.
Consider Growth and Flexibility
Retention is another hidden cost. Overworked employees may eventually seek jobs elsewhere, forcing you to spend time and money on replacements. Stable staffing levels foster institutional knowledge and reduce errors, which can save money even if wages are slightly higher.
Conversely, a new hire might bring fresh ideas that improve efficiency across the board. Weigh this potential productivity boost against the certainty of paying overtime every week to determine the smartest path forward.
If your workload fluctuates or you expect demand to drop soon, sticking with overtime might be best. Training a new hire only to lay them off can hurt team cohesion. However, if you anticipate steady growth, adding staff sooner can position your business for success. Analyze your sales pipeline and long-term projects alongside this calculator’s results.
Limitations
This tool assumes overtime hours remain consistent throughout the year and doesn’t factor in hiring bonuses, payroll taxes, or recruiting costs. These expenses may tilt the equation slightly. Additionally, overtime laws differ by region—verify local regulations before relying solely on our math.
Overall, the Overtime vs Hiring Cost Calculator offers clarity when tough staffing decisions arise. Use it to balance productivity, employee health, and your company’s bottom line.
Worked Example
Assume a warehouse pays workers $20 per hour and uses a 1.5 overtime multiplier. When one employee logs 15 hours of overtime each week, the annual cost becomes dollars. Hiring an additional worker at a $38,000 salary plus $7,000 in benefits totals $45,000. In this scenario overtime remains cheaper, but if overtime climbs to 30 hours weekly, the cost doubles to $46,800, surpassing the hire. The worked example shows how small changes in overtime dramatically influence the break‑even point.
Expanded Comparison Table
| Weekly OT Hours | OT Cost ($) | Hire Cost ($55k) | Cheaper Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 19,500 | 55,000 | Overtime |
| 15 | 58,500 | 55,000 | Hire |
| 25 | 97,500 | 55,000 | Hire |
Use your own wage and benefit data to recreate a similar table. It helps visualize thresholds where new positions become unavoidable, aiding discussions with finance or HR teams.
Human Factors and Productivity
Beyond dollars, fatigued employees may produce lower quality work or require additional supervision, indirectly raising costs. Chronic overtime can increase safety incidents, workers’ compensation claims, and absenteeism. A new hire, by contrast, may shorten project timelines and open opportunities for cross‑training. Consider surveying staff satisfaction alongside financial metrics to capture these qualitative variables.
Case Study: Seasonal Retail
A small retailer experiences a holiday rush each winter. For two months, overtime jumps to 25 hours per week per worker. Rather than hire permanent staff, management brings on two temporary employees at $4,000 each. Comparing in overtime versus $8,000 for temps reveals that short bursts of overtime can still be economical. After the season, hours return to normal without the expense of year‑round salaries.