The True Cost of Hiring IT

As a business owner, you may think the decision to hire an IT professional is a simple one. After all, you need an IT expert to provide a wide range of services, from technical support to security⁠, and help your business adapt as it grows. But if you want to hire successfully, there are a few questions you need to ask before you start the process. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that might play into your decision as you learn the true cost of hiring in-house IT.

What Can an IT Professional Do for Me?

Modern businesses rely on technology, so it’s vital to have someone dedicated to addressing IT issues as they arise. No one wants the headache of continually researching and addressing technical issues, especially if their talents and time are needed somewhere else, so you might reason that the answer is hiring someone to keep your technology running smoothly and effectively. 

When considering this option, the first question to ask yourself is: What do you want them to bring to the table? What skills and services are important for your business? Whether your focus is eCommerce, security or troubleshooting, the “why” aspect is an important first step toward finding an IT expert who is right for your company.

Once you’ve decided what you need from an IT pro, you can move on to the next question…

What’s the True Cost of Hiring In-House IT?

Salary is only part of the cost of employing someone. For June 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that private-industry employers spent an average of $32.82 on wages and salaries and $14.07 on benefits per hour worked. Benefits represented 30.0% of total compensation, or about 42.9% of wage and salary costs. These are averages across private industry, not an IT-specific hiring estimate. Build your budget from the role’s actual pay, employer taxes and benefit costs, avoiding double-counting paid leave already included in annual salary. Budget separately for equipment, travel, training, certifications, phones and onboarding time.

Many small companies don’t have a dedicated HR department. Account for the internal time needed to write the job description, screen applicants, interview candidates and onboard the new hire. It can be very difficult to find an IT professional with the right experience to address your needs. If you’re concerned about sensitive data or security issues, the character and integrity of your new hire matters almost as much as their professional background.

An external recruiter can help with the search, but include the agreed fee in your hiring budget. Robert Half’s 2025 annual report says its successful permanent-placement fees are generally a percentage of the new employee’s annual compensation. Ask the recruiter for a written quote that defines the compensation used to calculate the fee, payment terms and any replacement or refund conditions.

Once you’ve calculated the total actual costs of bringing on a new IT professional, you might decide that it doesn’t make financial sense for your business, but your technical needs still have to be addressed somehow. There is another option: a dynamic way to support your business without breaking the bank — a Managed Services Provider (MSP).

An Affordable, Creative Solution

A managed services provider can be another way to cover your IT needs. Compare the proposal with your in-house hiring budget, including the services and tools included, exclusions, project fees and support coverage. Identify which responsibilities would remain with your team and who would handle work outside the agreed scope.

When a company relies on a single IT employee, that person might need time to outsource to other professionals when a problem arises that doesn’t fall within their area of expertise. MSPs, on the other hand, are able to address a wide variety of technical issues in an efficient manner. From day-to-day fixes to big-picture strategies, an MSP can support your business from both an operational and a growth perspective. Instead of putting out fires as they come up, your MSP is able to take a long view and be proactive about your company’s technology needs — saving you time, stress and money.

Peace of Mind 

After-hours coverage is one factor to compare when deciding between an in-house employee and an MSP. Confirm the provider’s support hours, response targets, escalation process and responsibilities in the agreement. Small businesses also need a plan for responding to a security incident. The Federal Trade Commission recommends planning how to protect data, keep the business running and notify customers after a breach. Assign those responsibilities before an incident occurs.

If you’d like to learn more about managed IT services offered in Atlanta, Georgia, download our free eBook, Managed IT Services: Better Than Hiring an IT Pro?” In this free ebook, you’ll learn about the additional advantages and disadvantages of hiring an IT pro, which things to consider before making a hiring decision and the unique challenges you might encounter when hiring a new employee.

For many businesses, it might make more sense to partner with an outside IT provider like Cortavo to manage all hardware, software, connectivity and help desk support. And if that sounds like it might make sense for you, reach out to us using the form below or call us at 1.866.267.8286. Quit frustrating yourself with IT issues and get back in the driver’s seat of your business once more.

“Help my business, Cortavo!”

“On it! Just let us know how to contact you!”