True Cost of Hiring Calculator
The fully loaded cost of a Media & Entertainment hire in Tennessee combines Tennessee’s 1% SUTA rate with the Media & Entertainment workers’ comp rate of $1.20/$100, typical Media & Entertainment benefits, and overhead.
Open the CalculatorPre-configured with Tennessee tax rates and Media & Entertainment benchmarks. Adjust salary, benefits, and overhead to model your specific hire.
Total Annual Cost
$94,800
Loaded multiplier: 1.26× base salary
Open the interactive calculator to adjust every input and export a PDF report.
Combined Tennessee state tax rates and Media & Entertainment industry benchmarks for 2026.
Each figure combines Tennessee statutory rates with Media & Entertainment industry estimates. Statutory rates are fixed by law; published benchmarks come from BLS and SHRM; representative estimates vary by employer and carrier; and benefit/overhead defaults are editable TrueHireCost modeling assumptions.
| Metric | Value | Type | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee SUTA rate | 1% | Representative estimate | Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development | Aug 2026 |
| Tennessee SUTA wage base | $7,000 | Official statutory figure | Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development | Aug 2026 |
| Media & Entertainment workers’ comp | 1.2 / $100 payroll | Representative estimate | DOL Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs | Aug 2026 |
| Media & Entertainment median salary | $75,000 | Published benchmark | BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics | Aug 2026 |
| Media & Entertainment monthly benefits | $650 | Representative estimate | BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC) | Aug 2026 |
| 401(k) employer match | 3% | TrueHireCost modeling assumption | TrueHireCost methodology | Aug 2026 |
| Annual overhead | $3,000 | TrueHireCost modeling assumption | TrueHireCost methodology | Aug 2026 |
| Tennessee minimum wage | $7.25/hr | Official statutory figure | Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development | Aug 2026 |
| Employer FICA | 7.65% | Official statutory figure | IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) | Aug 2026 |
How to read this table
A Media & Entertainment hire in Tennessee at the median $75,000 salary costs approximately $94,800 fully loaded — a 1.26× multiplier combining Tennessee’s 1% SUTA with Media & Entertainment workers’ comp at $1.20/$100.
Healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and music/entertainment drive Tennessee’s economy.
Media hiring is shifting toward streaming and digital content, with volatile project-based production staffing. In Tennessee, project-based hiring of creatives, crew, and producers, mixed with w-2 corporate media staff.
When hiring Media & Entertainment staff in Tennessee, budget for the 1% SUTA rate on the first $7,000 of wages, $1.20/$100 workers’ comp, and no state income tax withholding.
Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Tennessee workforce agency
Media & Entertainment wages & turnover
Federal employer tax guide
Media & Entertainment industry resource
Media & Entertainment industry guide →
Editorial Standards
Maintained by the TrueHireCost editorial team
TrueHireCost is an independent research and tooling project. Our content is written and maintained by the TrueHireCost editorial team — not by a licensed CPA, attorney, or HR certificant, and no named professional endorses or "verifies" these pages. Rates, wage bases, and benchmarks are collected from official public sources (IRS, U.S. Department of Labor, state workforce agencies, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics) and labeled with their source and last-reviewed date. State SUTA, workers’ comp, and minimum-wage figures are representative new-employer estimates and should be confirmed with the agency for your specific situation.
Found an outdated rate or a calculation that looks wrong? Email editorial@truehirecost.com and we’ll review and correct it. TrueHireCost is an informational tool, not professional tax, legal, or HR advice — consult a qualified professional before making hiring or payroll decisions.
Last updated 2026-08-24
Every rate and formula is checked against the issuing agency before publication. Last updated 2026-08-24.
IRS
FICA, FUTA tax rate & wage base
U.S. DOL
FUTA credit, federal wage & hour
State Workforce Agencies
SUTA rates, wage bases, new-employer rates
BLS
Industry salary benchmarks & turnover
The fully loaded cost combines Tennessee’s 1% SUTA rate with the Media & Entertainment workers’ comp rate of $1.20/$100, a typical $75,000 median salary, $650/month benefits, and overhead. Use the calculator above for a precise Tennessee Media & Entertainment estimate.
Yes — Workers’ comp required for 5+ employees (construction all). The Media & Entertainment class code sets the rate at $1.20 per $100 of payroll.
Media & Entertainment roles typically pay $40,000–$180,000. Tennessee Media & Entertainment salaries may vary by metro and experience.
For Estimation Purposes Only
TrueHireCost provides hiring cost estimates for informational purposes only and is not professional tax, legal, or HR advice. Actual employer costs vary by experience rating, industry classification, carrier, and jurisdiction. Consult a qualified CPA, tax advisor, or HR professional before making hiring or payroll decisions.