Arizona Labor Burden Calculator

Find the fully burdened labor rate in Arizona, pre-filled with local SUI and tax estimates.

Pre-filled with Arizona estimates: SUI 2.0% on a $8,000 wage base, state income tax ~2.5%. Edit any field below.

Social Security + Medicare (7.65%)

Federal unemployment (effective 0.6%)

Health, retirement, etc.

$37.13/hr

Fully burdened rate

23.8%

Burden added

$77,220

Annual cost

Burden breakdown

Employer FICA (Social Security + Medicare)7.7% · $2.30/hr
Federal Unemployment (FUTA)0.6% · $0.18/hr
State Unemployment (SUI)2.0% · $0.60/hr
Workers' Compensation1.5% · $0.45/hr
Benefits (health, retirement)8.0% · $2.40/hr
Overhead (PTO, equipment, admin)4.0% · $1.20/hr
Total burden23.8% · $7.13/hr

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Estimates only, using editable 2025 US defaults. Tax and insurance rates vary by employer, classification, and locality. Verify with a licensed accountant before relying on these figures.

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Calculating the fully burdened labor rate in Arizona starts with federal payroll taxes and adds the state-specific pieces. Flat 2.5% state income tax and a low SUI wage base. This calculator pre-fills Arizona's estimated new-employer SUI rate of 2.0% on a $8,000 wage base, then lets you layer in workers compensation, benefits, and overhead.

Arizona's estimated new-employer SUI rate of 2.0% on a $8,000 wage base caps state unemployment at $160 per employee per year, below the typical range of $219 to $434 and the 45th highest of the 51 jurisdictions on this site. At a $30 pay rate the wage base is met in week 7, and SUI stops accruing for the rest of the year. Arizona also taxes wages, at an estimated 2.5% effective rate, which the employee pays rather than the employer. For a staffing agency billing in Arizona, the employer side is light because SUI stops early in the year. The state income tax falls on the worker, which matters for the 1099 vs W2 take-home comparison more than for the bill rate.

The result is the true hourly and annual cost of an employee in Arizona: the number you need before setting a bill rate or comparing a W2 hire against a 1099 contractor.

Labor burden in states bordering Arizona

Labor burden in the most populous states

All 50 states and DC

Arizona Labor Burden FAQ

What is the labor burden rate in Arizona?
In Arizona, the employer labor burden combines federal taxes (FICA 7.65%, FUTA 0.6%) with the state unemployment (SUI) rate, estimated around 2.0% for new employers on a $8,000 wage base, plus workers compensation, benefits, and overhead. Most Arizona employers land between 15% and 30% total burden. Every rate is editable in the calculator above.
How is the fully burdened rate calculated in Arizona?
Add all employer costs as a percentage of the base wage, then multiply the pay rate by (1 + total burden). The calculator pre-fills Arizona's SUI estimate and lets you adjust workers comp and benefits to match your business.
Does Arizona have a state income tax?
Yes. Arizona levies a state income tax (effective rate roughly 2.5% for a typical earner). Income tax is paid by the worker and does not change the employer's labor burden. It matters for the 1099 vs W2 take-home comparison instead.
Are these numbers tax advice?
No. These are editable 2025 estimates. Arizona SUI rates are experience-rated per employer and workers comp varies by class code. Confirm with a licensed accountant.