This calculator uses industry benchmarks combined with your actual inputs. All calculations are done client-side — nothing is sent to a server.
1Current recruiter time cost = (hours per hire × recruiter hourly rate) × hires per year. Industry average is 23 hours of recruiter time per hire for sourcing + screening (SHRM).
2AI time cost = recruiter time is reduced by 85% (from 23 hrs to ~3.5 hrs per hire). Remaining time covers review, interviews, and offer management — which AI doesn't replace.
3Job board spend = reduced by 70% with AI. AI sourcing reaches passive candidates directly, reducing dependence on job boards. Some board spend is retained for certain roles.
4Time-to-hire reduction = 60% reduction based on published outcomes from AI-assisted recruiting teams. Sourcing savings: ~13 days. Screening savings: ~4 days.
5Autonomy Recruit cost = $299/month Pro plan ($3,588/year) — flat rate, unlimited users, unlimited jobs. All users. Starter plan at $99/month available for smaller teams (<5 hires/year).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AI recruiting software save per hire?
AI recruiting software typically reduces cost per hire by 40–70%. For a team making 10 hires per year at $4,000 cost per hire, that's $16,000–$28,000 in annual savings. The biggest drivers are eliminating recruiter time on sourcing (10–14 hours per role) and screening (up to 23 hours per hire). At Autonomy Recruit's Pro pricing of $299/month, most teams see ROI in the first hire.
What is the average cost per hire in 2026?
The average cost per hire in 2026 is approximately $4,129 for small businesses and $4,700 across all companies (SHRM data). This includes job board fees, recruiter time, and administrative costs. For recruiting agencies, the effective internal cost per filled role is typically higher when you factor in salary-equivalent time costs — recruiters at $60–80k/year spending 23+ hours per placement.
How do you calculate recruiting ROI?
Recruiting ROI = Annual savings ÷ Annual cost of AI software. Annual savings = (current total recruiting cost − new cost with AI). Current cost includes recruiter time (hours × rate × hires), job board fees, and existing software. With Autonomy Recruit at $3,588/year, a team saving $40,000 in recruiter time achieves roughly 11x ROI. This calculator computes your specific number based on your inputs.
How much does AI reduce time-to-hire?
AI recruiting automation reduces time-to-hire by 50–65% — from the industry average of 44 days down to 15–18 days for most roles. The largest savings come from automating sourcing (saves 10–14 days) and initial screening (saves 3–5 days). These two stages account for roughly 60% of total hiring cycle time. Faster hiring also means you reach top candidates before they accept competing offers — top candidates are off the market within 10 days of starting their search.