How much does employer NI cost?

Employer National Insurance is currently 13.8% on earnings above £9,100 per year (the secondary threshold for 2024/25). For an employee earning £12/hr for 30 hours/week (£18,720/year), employer NI would be approximately £1,328 per year.

What is the minimum pension contribution?

Under auto-enrolment, the minimum employer contribution is 3% of qualifying earnings. Employees must contribute at least 5%, giving a total minimum of 8%. Some employers choose to contribute more as a benefit to attract and retain staff.

How many holiday days must I give?

The statutory minimum in the UK is 5.6 weeks (28 days for a 5-day worker), which can include bank holidays. Part-time workers are entitled to a pro-rata equivalent. You can offer more than the minimum as a perk.

Why is the true hourly cost higher than the hourly pay?

The true hourly cost includes employer NI, pension contributions and accounts for non-productive holiday time. A worker paid £12/hr typically costs the employer £14-16/hr once all costs are factored in. This is the figure you should use when pricing jobs.

CleanCalcs

Staff Cost Calculator

Calculate the true cost of employing cleaning staff including NI, pension and holiday.

Hourly Pay Rate

Gross hourly pay

Hours Per Week

Contracted weekly hours

Employer Pension %

Minimum 3% auto-enrolment

Annual Holiday Days

Including bank holidays (min 28)

How We Calculate This

This calculator works out the full cost of employing a member of staff.

Components

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours/week × 52 weeks
Employer NI = 13.8% on earnings above £9,100/year
Pension = gross pay × employer contribution %

True hourly cost

Total annual cost divided by productive hours (excluding holiday days) gives the true cost per billable hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities and timings for your specific situation.