The short answer
Managed payroll for a small business typically runs $80–$180 per month, with a typical fee around $120. That usually reflects a base charge plus a per-employee rate. The market spread:
| Tier | Range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Self-serve software | $0–$50 | You run payroll; software calculates and files. |
| Basic managed payroll | $50–$120 | Runs, direct deposit, and standard tax filings for a few employees. |
| Full-service | $120–$200 | More employees, multi-state, benefits and deductions handled. |
| Complex / contractor-heavy | $200–$350+ | High headcount, multiple states, 1099 volume, compliance edge cases. |
What actually moves the price
Headcount and pay frequency. Payroll usually prices as a base fee plus per-employee, so cost scales with your team. Weekly runs cost more than monthly ones because there are simply more cycles to process and file against.
Multi-state and compliance. One state with a handful of W-2 employees is simple. Employees across several states, local taxes, garnishments, or a mix of W-2 and 1099 workers adds filing complexity — and mistakes here mean penalties, so the higher fee is buying accuracy.
Where payroll ends. A payroll specialist runs pay and the tax filings that go with it. Broader tax strategy and full books are separate; bundling them raises the number. For overlap with day-to-day records, a bookkeeper often coordinates payroll rather than a standalone specialist.
How this guide is priced
Figures are compiled from public rate listings and market data — see the source below and our data methodology. As Mindhyv grows, these ranges will reflect real, anonymized engagement data from the marketplace.
Before you hire
Read the payroll specialist hiring guide for questions about filings and multi-state coverage; broader monthly bookkeeping is a separate line if you need it. Compare providers on the same headcount and pay frequency with the Mindhyv tools.