Formula used
Clients needed = all-in monthly hire cost divided by average monthly revenue per client or sale.
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Hiring tool
Can I Afford to Hire? Analyzer
Model the first-hire decision by comparing new payroll cost with the revenue capacity the person should unlock.
Clients to cover3
Break-even utilization52%
Full-capacity upside$6,100
Inputs
Your hiring model
Use monthly numbers so the payroll and sales math line up.
Your numbers stay in this browser. Free calculator inputs are not stored on our servers.
New clients needed
3
You need about 3 new client or sales per month to cover $6,500in added payroll cost.
0%Break-even utilization100%
StatusHire math looks strong
Revenue after full capacity$54,600
Capacity plan
Added revenue capacity$12,600
Clients at full capacity5
Net upside after payroll$6,100
- The hire breaks even after about 3 new client or sales per month.
- Protect the plan by selling at least 52% of the added capacity.
Guide
How to use the hiring analyzer
Use this before making a first hire, moving from contractor to employee, or deciding whether an agency role should be sales-led or delivery-led.
Healthy benchmark
A safer hire usually has visible demand for at least the break-even client count plus a buffer. If the hire only works at 100% utilization, the risk is high.
Common mistakes
- Counting salary but forgetting payroll tax, benefits, software, equipment, and management time.
- Assuming capacity creates revenue automatically without a sales pipeline.
- Hiring to reduce stress before checking whether pricing or scope is the real bottleneck.