Payroll Service Pricing · Verified Directory
Payroll pricing decoded — no hidden-fee surprises
Understand payroll service pricing models, per-employee-per-month fees, and total cost of ownership for outsourced payroll providers.
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Payroll pricing models
What payroll services typically cost
Most providers charge a base monthly fee plus a per-employee fee. Add-ons (benefits, time tracking, HR) layer on top.
Core payroll
$30–$60
/mo base + $4–$8/employee
Small teams that just need clean, compliant payroll runs.
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Federal, state, and local tax filing
- Direct deposit + pay stubs
- W-2 and 1099 year-end forms
Full-service
$60–$120
/mo base + $8–$12/employee
Growing businesses with multi-state employees and contractors.
- All core payroll features
- Multi-state tax filing
- Time tracking integration
- PTO and time-off tracking
- Onboarding + I-9 / W-4 collection
Payroll + HR + benefits
$120–$200+
/mo base + $10–$18/employee
Established teams ready to consolidate HR, benefits, and payroll.
- Health, dental, vision benefits admin
- 401(k) integration + filings
- Workers' comp pay-as-you-go
- HR support / handbook templates
- Dedicated account manager
By business size
What you'll likely pay
Ranges reflect typical U.S. market pricing. Your CPA or provider will scope a specific number.
| Business size | Monthly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 employees | $50–$120/mo | Basic payroll + tax filing |
| 6–25 employees | $120–$300/mo | Multi-state, benefits typical |
| 26–100 employees | $300–$1,200/mo | Full HR stack, dedicated rep |
| 100+ employees | $1,200–$5,000+/mo | Enterprise pricing; custom contracts |
What drives the price
Software comparison
DIY tools vs. hiring a pro
Software is cheaper up front, but the right pro typically pays for themselves through error prevention and tax savings.
| Software | Price | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | $40 + $6–$12/ee | Small businesses, startups | Best modern UX. Strong benefits and contractor support. |
| QuickBooks Payroll | $45 + $6–$10/ee | QuickBooks Online users | Tight bookkeeping integration. Three tiers (Core / Premium / Elite). |
| ADP Run | $79 + ~$8/ee | Mid-size to enterprise | Deep HR features. Pricing often quote-only; negotiable. |
| Paychex Flex | $39 + $5/ee | Established SMBs | Strong reporting and compliance. Older UX than Gusto. |
| Rippling | $8/ee + add-ons | Tech-forward growing teams | Bundles payroll, HR, IT, and benefits. Modular pricing. |
| OnPay | $40 + $6/ee | Budget-conscious small teams | All-inclusive flat per-employee. Strong reviews, no tiers. |
By city
Find Payroll Pricing by city
Houston, TX
Houston CPAs serve energy, healthcare, and the city's vast small-business community.
Dallas, TX
Dallas accounting firms anchor finance, real estate, and corporate headquarters across DFW.
Los Angeles, CA
LA's accountants specialize in entertainment, real estate, and creative-industry tax planning.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco CPAs serve startups, venture-backed companies, and complex equity-comp clients.
New York City, NY
NYC's accountants cover Wall Street, media, real estate, hospitality, and the small businesses of all five boroughs.
Miami, FL
Miami's CPAs specialize in international tax, real estate, hospitality, and Latin American business.
Chicago, IL
Chicago accountants serve professional services, manufacturing, logistics, and the Midwest's largest corporate base.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's CPAs support film, fintech, logistics, and one of the country's most dynamic small-business scenes.
Boston, PA
Boston-area accountants serve life sciences, higher education, financial services, and innovation-economy startups.
Seattle, WA
Seattle CPAs serve tech, aerospace, and the Pacific Northwest's deep entrepreneurial bench.
Common questions
About payroll service pricing
How much does payroll service cost per employee?+
Most providers charge a base monthly fee of $30–$150 plus $4–$12 per employee per month. A 10-employee company typically pays $70–$250/month total.
What's included in payroll service pricing?+
Core payroll runs, direct deposit, tax filing and remittance (federal, state, local), W-2 and 1099 generation, and basic employee self-service portal. Benefits admin and time tracking are usually add-ons.
Is it cheaper to do payroll in-house?+
Rarely. DIY payroll software saves provider fees but requires your time, carries penalty risk for missed filings, and doesn't include compliance support. Most small businesses save money outsourcing.
This information is general and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.