Question 1

When should I hire instead of automate?

Accepted Answer

Hire when the role is dominated by judgement, in-person presence, or relationship work that an automation flow would do badly. The calculator helps surface which tasks fall into that bucket.

Question 2

How much does an office manager, bookkeeper, or admin really cost per year?

Accepted Answer

Salary is only part of it. Once you add payroll burden (roughly 20–28% depending on state) plus onboarding and ramp, the all-in year-one cost is typically 30–40% higher than the salary number alone.

Question 3

What tasks in this role can software handle today?

Accepted Answer

Transcription, document filing, scheduling, AP follow-ups, and confirmations are all highly automatable with today’s tools. Phones, light HR, and visitor coordination still need a person.

Question 4

Is part-time hiring better than automating?

Accepted Answer

Often yes — especially under 20 hours/week. A 1099 contractor or fractional admin frequently closes the gap for less ramp cost than a software build.

Question 5

How accurate is this calculator?

Accepted Answer

It is a directional read, not a payroll quote. The state burden table is rough; real numbers vary by industry and benefits. Use it to decide whether to investigate further, not to set a budget.

Hire vs Automate