A one-hour weekly meeting for 12 people at an average of $45 an hour in salary costs $540 each time. Over 48 working weeks that is about $26,000 a year. Add employer costs like taxes and benefits, about 30% more, and it is close to $34,000. That is before counting the focus time lost around the meeting.
The math, step by step
| Step | Number |
|---|---|
| People | 12 |
| Length | 1 hour |
| Average pay | $45 an hour (about $93,600 a year) |
| Cost per meeting | 12 × 1 × $45 = $540 |
| Meetings a year | 52, minus about 4 for holidays = 48 |
| Salary cost a year | $540 × 48 = $25,920 |
| With employer costs (+30%) | about $33,700 |
If the average is closer to $50 an hour, the yearly total with employer costs is about $37,000. Try your own numbers in the meeting cost calculator.
The costs that do not show up
Focus time around the meeting. A meeting at 10:30 breaks the morning into two short pieces. Many people do lighter work before a meeting and take time to get going after.
Preparation. Someone builds the slides. Others update their notes.
Follow-up. Unclear decisions lead to more messages and another meeting.
Is it worth it?
A meeting is worth $540 if it produces decisions worth more than $540. Ask:
- Did we decide anything that could not be decided in writing?
- Did everyone need to be there?
- Could it be 25 minutes?
Three ways to cut the cost in half
- Move updates to writing. Most weekly meetings spend half their time on updates.
- Invite fewer people. Those who only need the outcome read the notes.
- Shorten it. 30 minutes with a tight agenda often covers the same decisions.
Cut from 60 to 30 minutes and from 12 people to 8, and the same meeting costs about a third as much.
Where M-Tracker fits
M-Tracker counts meeting time from Google Calendar on its own line, next to task time, so you can see what meetings cost the team each week. It also shows finished work and work waiting for review, which makes many update meetings unnecessary. No screenshots and no activity tracking.
Try M-Tracker free14-day trial. No credit card. No employee surveillance.
Questions people ask
Should I show the team this number?
Yes. Most people are glad to cut meetings when they see the cost.
What about one-on-ones?
They cost less and usually return more. Keep them.
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