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E-Commerce & DTC Brands: Managed Payroll for Mid-Size Businesses (25-100 Employees) (2026)
Managed payroll at $25-$45 PEPM all-inclusive makes economic sense at nearly every size for e-commerce brands, but the specific value drivers differ depending on headcount.
Payroll at Different Sizes for E-Commerce & DTC Brands
| E-Commerce & DTC Brands Size | Monthly Cost | vs. In-House Hire |
|---|---|---|
| Small DTC brand (5-25 staff) | $125-$1,125/mo | Save $53K-$83K/yr |
| Growing brand (25-100 staff) | $625-$4,500/mo | Save $43K-$73K/yr |
| Established brand (100-300 staff) | $2,500-$13,500/mo | Save $20K+/yr |
The comparison is against an in-house hire at $55,000-$85,000 fully loaded to $57K-$88K per year.
Under 25 Employees: The Clearest ROI
For e-commerce brands under 25 employees, in-house payroll cannot be justified. A payroll coordinator costs $55,000-$85,000 fully loaded -- compared to $625-$1,125/month for managed payroll. The savings pay for a year of managed payroll in the first 2-3 months.
25-75 Employees: Complexity Drives the Case
In the 25-75 employee range, e-commerce brands are dealing with more seasonal workforce spikes, multi-state nexus payroll tax, contractor vs W-2 for fulfillment, inventory labor cost tracking. An in-house generalist is less likely to have the depth needed in these areas. Managed payroll provides specialist coverage that reduces exposure.
75-200 Employees: Hybrid Approaches Emerge
At 75+ employees, e-commerce brands often consider a hybrid approach: an HR generalist handles employee relations and benefits while a managed payroll provider handles the compliance-heavy payroll function. This keeps an internal HR presence while outsourcing the most technically complex piece.
How to Get a Quote for Your E-Commerce & DTC Brands
BEG quotes managed payroll based on your actual headcount and pay frequency. For most e-commerce brands, the first discovery call includes a custom cost comparison against your current setup.
Managed Payroll, Handled.
BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. Get an instant cost comparison for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you handle the Q4 staffing spike for holiday fulfillment?
Seasonal workforce additions are processed rapidly through batch new hire entry with state new hire reporting, withholding setup, and direct deposit enrollment for each new hire.
How do you handle payroll tax nexus in states where we have warehouse employees?
Having employees in a state creates payroll tax nexus. We handle state employer registration, withholding account setup, and state unemployment registration for each new state.
Can you handle payroll for a mix of W-2 warehouse workers and 1099 fulfillment contractors?
Yes. W-2 warehouse employees run through regular payroll. 1099 independent contractors are tracked separately with 1099-NEC forms at year-end.
What does BEG charge for e-commerce brand payroll?
E-commerce payroll runs at $25-$45 per employee per month. Seasonal scaling, multi-state filing, and year-end W-2 and 1099 processing are all included. For a brand with 30 employees, that is $750-$1,350 per month.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries including E-Commerce & DTC Brands. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: U.S. Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division
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