How much does it cost to hire an employee in the Northeast?

For a $60,000 salary, the average total employer cost in the Northeast is approximately $65,926 in 2026. That is 0.2% above the national average of $65,802.

Which state in the Northeast has the lowest employer payroll costs?

New Hampshire is the lowest-cost state in the Northeast for employer payroll taxes at a $60K salary, with a total employer cost of $65,592 — a 1.093x multiplier on base salary.

Which state in the Northeast has the highest employer payroll costs?

Connecticut has the highest employer payroll costs in the Northeast at a $60K salary: $66,705 total, or a 1.112x multiplier.

How do Northeast employer payroll costs compare to the national average?

At $60K salary, the Northeast regional average of $65,926 is 0.2% above the national average of $65,802. New York and New Jersey require employer-side disability insurance. Several states impose paid family leave surcharges. Connecticut and Massachusetts have among the highest SUTA wage bases nationally.

Northeast Employee Cost by State (2026)

State-by-state employer payroll costs across the Northeast at all salary levels. Regional averages, state rankings, and key cost drivers.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026 Open Methodology →

Data current as of March 2026 Sources: IRS Publication 15, SSA COLA notices, State Workforce Agencies

Hiring a $60,000/year employee in the Northeast costs employers an average of $65,926 in 2026 — 0.2% above the national average of $65,802. The lowest-cost state is New Hampshire ($65,592) and the highest is Connecticut ($66,705).

The Northeast is one of the most expensive regions to employ workers in the U.S., driven by higher SUTA rates, mandatory disability and paid family leave programs, and elevated workers' compensation premiums in states like New York and New Jersey.

Regional Average at $60K

$65,926

Across 12 states

Lowest-Cost State

New Hampshire

$65,592 at $60K

Highest-Cost State

Connecticut

$66,705 at $60K

Northeast is 0.2% above the national average

National average at $60K salary: $65,802. The Northeast average is $65,926 — a difference of $124/year per employee.

Regional Average Employer Cost by Salary Level

What employers in the Northeast pay on average at each salary tier (includes all mandatory taxes)

Salary	Northeast Avg	National Avg	Overhead Cost	Multiplier
$30,000	$33,146	$33,027	+$3,146	1.1x
$40,000	$44,085	$43,964	+$4,085	1.1x
$50,000	$55,011	$54,890	+$5,011	1.1x
$60,000 benchmark	$65,926	$65,802	+$5,926	1.1x
$75,000	$82,300	$82,153	+$7,300	1.1x
$100,000	$109,589	$109,392	+$9,589	1.1x
$125,000	$136,879	$136,630	+$11,879	1.1x
$150,000	$164,168	$163,867	+$14,168	1.09x

Northeast States Ranked by Employer Cost

Cheapest to most expensive at $60K salary

Costs include FICA, SUTA, workers' comp, and state programs

Rank	State	$30K	$50K	$60K	$75K	$100K	$150K	Multiplier
#1	New Hampshire no income tax	$32,922	$54,702	$65,592	$81,927	$109,152	$163,602	1.093x	Full breakdown →
#2	Delaware	$32,945	$54,735	$65,630	$81,972	$109,210	$163,685	1.094x	Full breakdown →
#3	Maine	$32,966	$54,752	$65,645	$81,984	$109,217	$163,682	1.094x	Full breakdown →
#4	Maryland + mandated programs	$32,936	$54,746	$65,651	$82,008	$109,271	$163,796	1.094x	Full breakdown →
#5	Pennsylvania	$32,964	$54,756	$65,652	$81,996	$109,236	$163,716	1.094x	Full breakdown →
#6	District of Columbia + mandated programs	$32,973	$54,825	$65,751	$82,140	$109,455	$164,085	1.096x	Full breakdown →
#7	Vermont	$33,087	$54,953	$65,886	$82,286	$109,618	$164,283	1.098x	Full breakdown →
#8	New York + mandated programs	$33,212	$55,032	$65,942	$82,307	$109,582	$164,132	1.099x	Full breakdown →
#9	Massachusetts + mandated programs	$33,168	$55,022	$65,949	$82,340	$109,657	$164,292	1.099x	Full breakdown →
#10	Rhode Island	$33,273	$55,139	$66,066	$82,457	$109,774	$164,409	1.101x	Full breakdown →
#11	New Jersey	$33,543	$55,742	$66,649	$83,009	$110,277	$164,812	1.111x	Full breakdown →
#12	Connecticut + mandated programs	$33,765	$55,725	$66,705	$83,175	$110,625	$165,525	1.112x	Full breakdown →

Regional averages: 30K: $33,146 50K: $55,011 60K: $65,926 75K: $82,300 100K: $109,589 150K: $164,168

Key Findings: Northeast Employer Costs

The regional average employer cost for a $60K employee is $65,926, 0.2% above the national average of $65,802.
New Hampshire is the most cost-effective state for employers at $65,592 per $60K employee (1.093x salary).
Connecticut has the highest employer costs at $66,705 per $60K employee (1.112x salary).
New York and New Jersey require employer-side disability insurance. Several states impose paid family leave surcharges. Connecticut and Massachusetts have among the highest SUTA wage bases nationally.
The spread between lowest and highest cost states within the region is $1,113/year per $60K employee. At a 10-person team, that's a potential difference of $11,130/year.

Compare Other Regions

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Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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