Calculate the True Cost of Meetings
Meetings are essential for collaboration, but they're also expensive. Every minute your team spends in a meeting room is time not spent on execution. Our Meeting Cost Calculator helps you quantify the financial impact of meetings and make data-driven decisions about which meetings truly deliver value.
Average Hourly Rates by Role (2026)
Use these benchmarks if you don't know exact salaries:
| Role / Level | Hourly Rate (USD) | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Junior/Entry-Level | $25 - $40/hr | $50k - $80k |
| Mid-Level/Senior IC | $50 - $80/hr | $100k - $160k |
| Manager/Lead | $70 - $120/hr | $140k - $240k |
| Director/VP | $100 - $200/hr | $200k - $400k |
| C-Suite/Executive | $200 - $500/hr | $400k - $1M+ |
Meeting Cost Reduction Strategies
Research-backed ways to cut meeting waste:
The Hidden Costs Beyond Salaries
The calculator shows salary-based costs, but meetings have additional hidden expenses:
Meeting Cost Formula
The calculation accounts for all attendees:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How do I calculate the average hourly rate for my team?
Add up all annual salaries of attendees, divide by the number of people to get average salary, then divide by 2,080 (standard work hours per year). Example: Team of 5 with combined salaries of $500k → $500k ÷ 5 = $100k avg → $100k ÷ 2,080 = $48/hr.
Q:Should I include benefits and overhead in hourly rates?
For a more accurate 'true cost,' multiply base salary by 1.3-1.5 to account for benefits, taxes, and overhead (office space, equipment, etc.). For example, a $100k salary costs the company ~$130-150k all-in.
Q:What's a reasonable meeting time budget?
Research suggests knowledge workers spend 15-50% of their time in meetings. Best-in-class companies aim for <20% for individual contributors and <40% even for managers. Track your team's average and set reduction goals.
Q:How can I justify canceling recurring meetings?
Use this calculator to show the annual cost. A weekly 1-hour meeting with 8 people at $75/hr avg = $600/week = $31,200/year. Ask: 'Is this meeting delivering $31k of value?' If unclear, test canceling it for a month and measure impact.