Global Workplace Analytics estimated employers save around $11,000 a year per half-time remote worker. Remote work can also widen the talent pool but needs investment in communication and security.
How to use the Remote vs. On-Location Workers Calculator
- Number of employees
- Average salary
- Remote salary adjustment
- Office space per employee (yearly)
- Utilities and supplies per employee (yearly)
- Commuting benefits per employee (yearly)
- Equipment per employee (yearly)
- Remote stipend per employee (yearly)
- Coworking or travel per employee (yearly)
- Employee commute (minutes per day, round trip)
- Employee commuting cost per day
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the number of employees, salary, office costs per employee, remote-work costs and the employee’s commute.
Tips
- Enter figures for the same period and in the same currency.
- Exchange rates and prices change constantly – update them before you rely on a result.
- Use results as estimates and confirm important figures with the official source.
- Everything runs in your browser – try different values to compare scenarios.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing gross and net figures.
- Using outdated rates.
- Treating rules of thumb as exact.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Number of employees | A number |
| Average salary | Amount in your currency |
| Remote salary adjustment | In % |
| Office space per employee (yearly) | Amount in your currency |
| Utilities and supplies per employee (yearly) | Amount in your currency |
| Commuting benefits per employee (yearly) | Amount in your currency |
| Equipment per employee (yearly) | Amount in your currency |
| Remote stipend per employee (yearly) | Amount in your currency |
| Coworking or travel per employee (yearly) | Amount in your currency |
| Employee commute (minutes per day, round trip) | A number |
| Employee commuting cost per day | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Office worker – yearly cost to employer = [Average salary] + [Office space per employee (yearly)] + [Utilities and supplies per employee (yearly)] + [Commuting benefits per employee (yearly)] + [Equipment per employee (yearly)]
- Remote worker – yearly cost to employer = [Average salary]×(1 + [Remote salary adjustment]÷100) + [Remote stipend per employee (yearly)] + [Equipment per employee (yearly)] + [Coworking or travel per employee (yearly)]
- Employer savings per remote employee = [Office worker – yearly cost to employer] – [Remote worker – yearly cost to employer]
- Total employer savings per year = [Employer savings per remote employee]×[Number of employees]
- Commuting hours saved per employee per year = [Employee commute (minutes per day, round trip)]÷60×230
- Employee commuting money saved per year = [Employee commuting cost per day]×230
Example values
How the main result changes when Number of employees changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Number of employees | Total employer savings per year |
|---|---|
| 10 | 95,000 |
| 15 | 142,500 |
| 20 | 190,000 |
| 25 | 237,500 |
| 30 | 285,000 |
| 40 | 380,000 |
Formula
Office cost per employee = salary + office space + utilities + equipment + commuting benefitsRemote cost per employee = salary (adjusted) + home-office stipend + equipment + coworkingSavings = difference × number of employeesWorked example
Inputs — Number of employees: 20; Average salary: $70,000; Remote salary adjustment: 0 %; Office space per employee (yearly): $9,000; Utilities and supplies per employee (yearly): $1,500; Commuting benefits per employee (yearly): $1,200; Equipment per employee (yearly): $1,200; Remote stipend per employee (yearly): $1,200; Coworking or travel per employee (yearly): $1,000; Employee commute (minutes per day, round trip): 60; Employee commuting cost per day: $12.
Results — Office worker – yearly cost to employer = $82,900.00; Remote worker – yearly cost to employer = $73,400.00; Employer savings per remote employee = $9,500.00; Total employer savings per year = $190,000.00; Commuting hours saved per employee per year = 230; Employee commuting money saved per year = $2,760.00.
Frequently asked questions
Is remote work cheaper for employers?
Usually – mainly through lower office costs.
What costs do remote workers add?
Stipends, equipment, software and occasional travel.
How much do employees save?
Often thousands of dollars a year in commuting costs, plus time.
What formula does the Remote vs. On-Location Workers Calculator use?
Office cost per employee = salary + office space + utilities + equipment + commuting benefits.