When does your first hire start making you money?

This free calculator shows the true cost of an employee and the exact point where they start generating profit. Built for owner-operators ready to grow with confidence.

The First Hire Calculator

The First Hire Calculator

Turn fear into a plan. See when your first employee becomes your most profitable investment.

The Numbers

$
$
%
$

The Payoff

Weekly Break-Even Point

12

Billable Hours

True Cost / Hr

$30.00

Profit / Hr

$50.00

Payback Period

10 hrs

Special Ability

+5 Jobs/Wk

After the weekly break-even point, every hour they work is pure profit for the business. This is how you scale.

Not just payroll math. A confidence tool for when to grow.

  • Most solo operators ask: "Can I afford a helper?"
  • This reframes it to: "How many hours until they pay for themselves?"
  • Stop guessing—get clear answers in seconds.

How it works

Step 1: Calculate True Cost

You enter:

  • Hourly wage (e.g., $25/hr)
  • Your billable rate (e.g., $80/hr)
  • Overhead % (defaults to 20%)
  • One-time costs (e.g., uniforms, tools)

You get:

  • Real hourly cost
  • Gross profit per hour
  • How many hours to recover startup costs

“Your $25/hr hire actually costs $30/hr—but makes you $50/hr.”

Step 2: Discover the Weekly Break-Even Point
  • We calculate how many billable hours they need to work to break even
  • Everything beyond that is pure profit
  • Puts you in control with a weekly target, not just a blind expense

“Your new hire is profitable after just 12 billable hours a week.”

Hire confidently, automate invoices, payments, and reviews

Create, send, and track clean invoices that keep your cash flow strong - and your helper busy. Reputigo also triggers automated review requests after every job, so your new hire helps grow your reputation while you grow your crew.

+
Booking to Instant Quote
Quote to Instant Scheduled Job
Job to Instant Invoice

Stop losing potential jobs to slow quotes. Convert leads before driving off and win more work by quoting faster. Don't miss out on revenue; ensure every inquiry turns into a paid opportunity, boosting your bottom line.

Strike while its hot! Don't risk costly errors juggling schedules. Turn accepted quotes into scheduled jobs. Avoid losing billable hours and ensure your crew never misses a profitable appointment due to disorganization.

Don’t wait to get paid — that’s money lost in your pocket. Send invoices from the field, and we’ll follow up until they’re paid. Once paid, we trigger a review request to every happy customer into advocates. Less admin, faster payments, and more 5-star reviews all in one move!

Try For Free
Frequently Asked
What’s included in the ‘true cost’ of an employee?
We factor in base wage, employer payroll taxes, workers comp, insurance, and an estimated overhead percentage.
How accurate is the break-even point?
Very close, based on your real numbers. It gives you a reliable weekly target so you know when the hire is paying off.
Can I use this if I’m already working with a helper?
Yes. It’s a great way to reassess your pricing, margins, and plan for your next hire too.
Do I need to sign up for anything?
No signup to use the calculator. If you want to try Reputigo after, we’ll give you free access to manage jobs, send invoices, and track performance.
How is this different from just using a spreadsheet?
This is purpose-built to give you clarity in 30 seconds, with none of the setup or math. It’s visual, actionable, and designed for busy operators.