How much does payroll cost for 30 employees?

Payroll for 30 employees costs between $189 and $280 per month at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, or $2,268 to $3,360 per year. The cheapest published price is Gusto at $229 per month (Simple). Quote-based providers (ADP, Paychex, Rippling) may beat these with first-year promotions.

Prices verified November 2026

All providers at 30 employees

Monthly payroll cost for 30 employees by provider
ProviderEntry planMonthly (list)AnnualPricing
PaychexFlex Essentials$189$2268Quote (est.)
ADPEssential$229*$2748*Quote (est.)
GustoSimple$229$2748Published
OnPayPayroll Essentials$229$2748Published
QuickBooks PayrollWorkforce Payroll (Core)$260$3120Published
RipplingPlatform (required)$280$3360Quote (est.)

* Estimate from publicly reported quotes. Excludes promotions (often 3 months free at ADP and Paychex), setup fees and year-end form fees.

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What drives the price at 30 employees

Around this size the per-employee fee overtakes the base fee. A $2 difference in per-employee rate is worth $60 per month, so negotiate that number first. Pay frequency matters most at ADP, which bills per run.

Add-ons that change the number

Time tracking (included at Gusto Plus, QuickBooks Premium and Rippling; $15 + $4 per worker at OnPay), multi-state (included at OnPay; Gusto Plus required), health benefits (broker fees vary), year-end forms (free at Gusto and OnPay; often charged by ADP and Paychex) and setup fees (about $200 at Paychex unless waived).

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Cost by team size

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest payroll service for 30 employees?

Gusto at $229 per month is the cheapest published list price for 30 employees. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $189 but adds quarterly and year-end fees, and ADP's quotes often include three free months.

How much is ADP for 30 employees?

ADP does not publish prices. Based on reported quotes, expect roughly $229 per month on biweekly payroll before add-ons, and more on weekly payroll since ADP bills per pay run. Request a written quote.

How much is Paychex for 30 employees?

Paychex Flex Essentials is published at $189 per month for 30 employees. Select and Pro tiers, which add a dedicated specialist and HR tools, are quoted and typically run higher.

Sources

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