Free business phone tool
Compare an AI receptionist with the cost of hiring
Salary is only part of the cost of a receptionist. Benefits, payroll taxes, equipment, workspace, recruiting, and management add overhead, while extended or round-the-clock coverage requires more than one shift. Adjust the assumptions below and compare them with PhoneMachine’s current month-to-month plan prices.
Compare annual coverage costs
Change the salary and loaded-cost assumption for your market. Coverage multipliers estimate the staffing needed across additional shifts.
| PhoneMachine plan | Monthly | Annual | Estimated annual savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $49 | $588 | $46,912 |
| Business | $129 | $1,548 | $45,952 |
| Business Pro | $299 | $3,588 | $43,912 |
Hiring estimate: salary × (1 + overhead %) × staffing equivalent. Staffing equivalents are planning assumptions: 1.0× business hours, 1.5× extended hours, and 4.2× for continuous 24/7 coverage. AI handles phone workflows, not every in-person front-desk duty.
Common questions
Use the result with the right context
What is included in the receptionist hiring cost?
The calculator starts with annual salary and adds the overhead percentage you enter. Overhead can include employer payroll taxes, benefits, paid time off, equipment, workspace, recruiting, and management costs.
Why does extended or 24/7 coverage cost more?
One full-time employee cannot cover every open hour, break, vacation, evening, weekend, and holiday. The calculator uses simple staffing equivalents of one role for business hours, 1.5 roles for extended coverage, and 4.2 roles for continuous 24/7 coverage.
Does an AI receptionist replace every front-desk task?
No. AI can cover repetitive phone work such as answering, qualification, routing, summaries, and basic scheduling. In-person reception, complex judgment, and sensitive exceptions may still require an employee.
Which PhoneMachine plan should I compare?
Use the plan that fits your expected minutes, users, phone numbers, and workflow needs. The calculator shows all three month-to-month plan prices so you can compare without assuming the lowest tier is sufficient.
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