The Real Cost of Hiring a Nurse in 2024

This article was originally published in 2024. Its earlier wage and Staffy cost figures were not a current quote or a supported universal average. The method below replaces those figures with a transparent way to compare costs using your own records.

Separate the worker's rate from the organization's cost

A stated hourly wage or contractor rate is only one input. Depending on the arrangement, an organization's costs may include premiums, employer contributions, benefits, supplier or platform fees, onboarding and administration. Identify which costs actually apply before adding them.

Part-time work does not create a universal 20-hour weekly overtime threshold. Use the applicable employment rules, agreements and payroll advice for the particular role and arrangement.

Keep the denominator clear

Calculate the total cost for a defined period and divide it by the hours you intend to compare. Paid hours, hours worked and hours of productive coverage are not always the same measure. Label the denominator and use the same basis for each option.

Avoid counting the same cost twice. For example, if a supplier quote already includes a fee, do not add that fee again. If you allocate annual onboarding or turnover costs across hours, state the allocation period and assumptions.

A simple hypothetical example

Suppose an illustrative assignment has 100 paid hours at CAD $50 per hour, plus CAD $500 in applicable additional costs and CAD $250 in separately allocated administration. The total is CAD $5,750: (100 × $50) + $500 + $250. Dividing by 100 paid hours gives CAD $57.50 per paid hour.

These invented inputs demonstrate arithmetic only. They are not Staffy rates, nurse wage standards, measured averages or a complete staffing budget.

Compare equivalent requirements

Use the same role, location, hours and required qualifications when comparing options. Record differences in availability, continuity, onboarding and cancellation terms. A cheaper quoted hour does not automatically provide an equivalent staffing outcome.

Request current Staffy terms

Review the specific opportunity or obtain a current client quote, including applicable fees and terms. Do not use the former CAD $62.60 figure in this article as a current Staffy average. Actual total costs and worker availability vary.

Editorial correction, October 20, 2026: the unsupported CAD $96.20 employer-cost estimate, universal overtime assumptions and Staffy average have been removed. The original 2024 title and address are retained so existing links still work.

Discuss staffing requirements with Staffy