Free HR calculator
Apprentice ROI Calculator
Compare apprentice wages, training costs, and productive work with the cost of hiring a journeyman. See how the financial results change from the first year through program completion.
About this calculator
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Before you begin Have your wage rates, program length, and productivity estimates ready. This takes about three minutes.
Wage rates
Apprentice productivity
Training and labor costs
Estimated net return during the program
Results by program year
Email your results
Email your apprenticeship estimate and the figures behind it.
How the calculation works
What the apprenticeship estimate includes
For each program year, the calculator compares apprentice wages, labor burden, mentoring, and training costs with the estimated value of completed work. The model values completed work using a journeyman's loaded hourly cost.
The model starts with $20,000 for recruiting a journeyman. Replace that amount with your actual recruiting and ramp-up costs for a more specific comparison.
Source: SHRM, SHRM Releases 2025 Benchmarking Reports, 15 October 2025, shrm.org.
See the calculation
First-year costs and output
The default assumes first-year apprentice productivity is 60% of a journeyman's output. Each year's results compare that output with wages, labor burden, and training costs.
How productivity changes the result
As apprentices gain experience and become more productive, the value of their work grows relative to wages and training costs. Compare the program result with hiring an experienced journeyman. The U.S. Department of Labor reports a 93% employment retention figure for apprenticeship completers. SHRM's 2025 benchmarking reports an average nonexecutive cost per hire of $5,475, before ramp-up costs.
Plan for future staffing and retention
The model increases productivity evenly from the first year through the final year. Consider future staffing needs, retention, and program completion rates alongside the financial estimate.
From apprentice costs to technician pay
Build a technician pay ladder
Use your apprenticeship estimate to inform technician pay decisions. The Technician Pay and Retention Toolkit includes the Ladder Builder to define pay levels and assess technicians, along with the Retention Risk Review, stay conversation scripts, and counteroffer decision guide.
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Compare this estimate with your records to help plan your next step.