The True Cost of Doing It All In-House: A Remote vs. Local Hiring Breakdown

The True Cost of Doing It All In-House:

A Remote vs. Local Hiring Breakdown

Building an in-house team has long been considered the gold standard for running a business. But in a post-pandemic, technology-powered world, this traditional approach may be costing more than it’s worth, literally.

U.S. companies are now asking a critical question: Is doing everything in-house still sustainable, or is there a more agile, cost-effective way to build and scale a team?

Let’s explore what it really costs to hire local employees, and how switching to nearshore remote professionals through employLANCE can dramatically reduce expenses while maintaining performance and professionalism.

Salaries: The First and Most Obvious Cost

In-house salaries in the U.S. are significantly higher than those of equally skilled professionals in the Nearshore region. Here some examples to quickly compare average salaries for full-time positions;

US Based Salary Average

• An Admin Assistant makes between $45,000/$60,000 per year.

• A Project Manager could range from $75,000 to $100,000 per year.

• and, an HR Assistant typically earns $48,000 to $62,000 annually.

Remote positions through employLANCE.

• An Admin Assistant Support makes between $12,000 to $19,000 a year.

• A Project Manager $22,000 to $32,000 per year.

• And an HR Assistant could come in at $13,000 to $21,000 annually.

That’s savings 50%+ without compromising talent quality, especially when working in nearshore regions where professionals are bilingual, culturally aligned, and highly trained.

The Hidden (and Not-So-Hidden) Costs of In-House Hiring

Salaries are just the beginning. When you hire locally, your expenses extend into payroll taxes, benefits, office space, equipment, and overhead.

Employers in the U.S. typically pay an additional 25–35% on top of each salary to cover:

• Social Security and Medicare taxes

• Health insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement contributions

• Office infrastructure (rent, utilities, furniture, supplies)

When you zoom out, the real cost of hiring a $60,000 employee can quickly exceed $80,000 or more, and that’s without factoring in onboarding time, turnover, or training investments.

The Remote Advantage: Lower Costs, Higher Flexibility

When you hire through Employlance, you avoid those added expenses entirely. Remote professionals:

• Work from their own location (no office required)

• Provide their own equipment

• Are paid directly through our flat-fee structure

• Don’t require you to pay U.S. payroll taxes or benefits

• Can be hired full-time or part-time depending on your needs

That means you pay only for the value you receive; not for overhead you don’t need.

Faster Hiring, Easier Scaling

Hiring a new in-house employee in the U.S. can take 4 to 6 weeks or more, not including onboarding. It’s slow, costly, and risky, especially if you're growing fast or trying to stay lean.

Remote professionals, especially from the nearshore region, are ready to start within days, already vetted, bilingual, and equipped to integrate quickly into your systems and workflows.

And if your needs change, you can scale your team up or down with minimal disruption, something nearly impossible to do with a traditional in-house model.

The Real Question: What’s the Opportunity Cost?

Every hour you or your team spend managing admin tasks, HR paperwork, or routine project tracking is time not spent growing your business. It’s not just about saving money it’s about redirecting resources toward what matters most: innovation, strategy, and growth.

Final Thoughts

The way we work is evolving and the smartest companies are evolving with it. Sticking to an in-house only mindset may feel familiar, but it’s holding back your budget, flexibility, and growth potential.

Remote hiring, especially through a nearshore partner like Employlance, offers the perfect balance of affordability, professionalism, and convenience, all while freeing your business to operate leaner, faster, and smarter.

Curious how much you could save?

Let us show you with a personalized cost comparison—no pressure, just numbers.

Reach out to employLANCE today and discover the true cost of growth done right.