Employee Cost Calculator
Calculate the true cost of employing staff in South Africa. Includes salary, UIF, SDL, COIDA, pension, medical aid, and full CTC builder.
Quick Calculator Get a fast estimate
R
%
R
% of salary
Total Employee Cost (CTC)
R 35 327
Total Annual Cost
R 423 925
Overhead Above Salary
17,8%
SDL + UIF + COIDA
R 777
Benefits
R 4 550
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What Does an Employee Cost in SA?
A R30,000/month salary employee typically costs the employer R34,000–R37,500/month when you add UIF (1%), SDL (1%), COIDA (1%), pension (7.5%), and medical aid contribution. This 15–25% overhead is critical for budgeting headcount and making hire vs contractor decisions.
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Extended Calculator More options, charts, and scenario comparison
R
%
R
%
R
| Component | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Salary | R 30 000 | R 360 000 |
| Employer Pension (7.5%) | R 2 250 | R 27 000 |
| Medical Aid | R 2 000 | R 24 000 |
| Group Life / Risk (1%) | R 300 | R 3 600 |
| Travel Allowance | R 3 000 | R 36 000 |
| UIF (employer 1%) | R 177 | R 2 125 |
| SDL (1%) | R 300 | R 3 600 |
| COIDA (~1%) | R 300 | R 3 600 |
| Total CTC | R 38 327 | R 459 925 |
Employer Statutory Contributions
| Contribution | Rate | Paid To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UIF (employer) | 1% | SARS (UIF Fund) | Max R177.12/month |
| SDL | 1% | SARS (SETA) | Exempt if payroll <R500k/yr |
| COIDA | ~1% | Compensation Fund | Annual assessment |
| PAYE (employer deducts) | SARS brackets | SARS | Employer is tax agent |
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Professional Calculator Complete parameters, sensitivity analysis, and detailed breakdown
Multi-Employee Payroll Cost
R
%
R
Total cost: R 35 027/month — overhead: 16,8% above salary
Total Monthly Payroll Cost
R 35 027
Annual payroll
R 420 325
Avg overhead
16,8% above salary
Headcount
1
Detailed Breakdown per Employee
| Employee | Salary | Benefits | Statutory | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee 1 | R 30 000 | R 4 250 | R 777 | R 35 027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMP201 (monthly employer return including PAYE, UIF, SDL) must be submitted and paid by the 7th of each month. Annual reconciliation via EMP501 is due in October. Penalties apply for late submission: 10% of tax plus interest at SARS prescribed rate.
Contractors charge 20–40% more per hour/month than equivalent employees because they cover their own tax, UIF, medical, and pension. However, employers avoid statutory contributions, benefits, leave, retrenchment costs, and ongoing admin. For short-term or specialised work, contractors are often more cost-effective overall.