Nautis Logo
Free Calculator

Hiring Plan Calculator

Plan how many hires you can afford given runway, current burn, and revenue growth. The 'with growth' and 'no growth' scenarios bracket the realistic range.
Optional: account for growth
Max new hires (no growth)
0
Max new hires (with growth)
10
Target monthly burn
$167K
Cost per hire (monthly)
$17K
Avg revenue offset
$300K
How to read thisThe "no growth" number assumes flat revenue — the conservative case. The "with growth" number assumes your MRR compounds at the rate you set. Reality is usually between the two. Plan to the conservative number so a missed quarter doesn't break the plan.

What is the hiring plan calculator?

This calculator answers the most common founder question: "how many people can I hire and still keep my runway?"

It works by computing your target monthly burn (cash ÷ target runway), comparing to current burn, and showing how many additional fully-loaded hires fit in the headroom. With optional revenue growth, the answer adjusts.

Why this matters for founders & operators

Most failed hiring plans fail in two predictable ways:

  1. Founders model headcount at base salary, not fully-loaded cost — runway breaks 25% earlier than expected.
  2. Founders assume revenue growth that doesn't materialize, then have to cut.

This calculator addresses both: use our fully-loaded cost calculator for the per-hire cost, and look at the "no growth" case to see the conservative answer.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1
    Be honest about runway target

    18-24 months is healthy. Below 12 means you're in fundraise mode whether you know it or not.

  2. 2
    Use fully-loaded per-hire cost

    Base salary alone underestimates by 25-40%. The per-hire field should reflect total annual cash spend.

  3. 3
    Conservative on growth, aggressive on cost

    If your model breaks at 0% growth, the plan is too aggressive. Plan to the no-growth number; treat growth as upside.

  4. 4
    Stage hires across the runway

    Hiring 10 people in one month spikes burn. Spread hires across the period — it changes the math.

FAQ

What's a healthy hiring pace post-Series-A?+
Doubling to tripling headcount in 18 months is typical. Faster than that and quality suffers; slower and you may not hit Series B metrics.
Should I include the founder's salary in current burn?+
Yes — even at $0. Real founder comp is part of the model. If founders take low salaries, that's a deferred cost that often comes due at Series A.
How do I model variable comp (commissions, bonuses)?+
Include in the fully-loaded number with realistic on-target earnings (OTE). Sales reps' OTE is salary + commission at 100% quota attainment.
What if I want to hire faster than the model allows?+
You're choosing between cutting elsewhere or shortening runway. Both are fine if intentional. Models don't decide for you — they show the trade-off.