What on-costs should I add to a carer's wage?

The main employer on-costs are employer National Insurance (15% above £5,000/year in 2025/26), auto-enrolment pension (min 3%), holiday pay (5.6 weeks), plus training, PPE and sick pay. Together these typically add 20–30% on top of the base wage.

FreePayrollCalculator

Staff Cost Calculator

Reveal the true employer cost of a care worker beyond their wage.

Hourly rate

Contracted hours per week

hrs

Employer pension

Auto-enrolment minimum is 3%

Holiday loading

12.07% reflects 5.6 weeks' holiday

Training & other (per year)

True employer cost

Base wage (annual)

£24,785

+ Employer NI

£2,968

+ Pension

£556

+ Holiday loading

£2,991

+ Training / other

£500

Total annual cost

£31,800

On-costs

28.3%

True cost per hour

£16.31

Based on 2026/27 UK thresholds — the same rates used by Carionex's payroll engine. Indicative estimate only.

About this tool

Work out the real cost of employing a care worker — not just their hourly wage, but employer National Insurance, auto-enrolment pension, holiday pay and training. Essential for accurate pricing and budgeting.

Frequently asked questions

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