For many small businesses, outsourcing IT support costs less than hiring a full-time employee before there is enough work to keep that person busy. It can also provide access to skills a single hire may not cover, such as user support, networking, security, and project planning.
But there is no universal number of employees at which outsourcing stops being the cheaper choice. A 20-person office with cloud-based tools may need less hands-on support than a 10-person business with multiple locations, specialized equipment, or strict customer requirements. The better question is whether the business has enough ongoing work—and enough need for direct control—to support an internal role or team.
Compare the whole cost of each model
An in-house employee costs more than the annual salary. Employers also pay benefits and other compensation costs, and the business needs to account for recruiting, onboarding, training, equipment, software, and coverage when that person is unavailable.
For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported May 2025 national median annual wages of $61,860 for computer user support specialists and $99,130 for network and computer systems administrators. These are different occupations, not a recommended staffing plan or a local quote. They do show that even one internal IT role represents a significant recurring commitment. Across private industry, employee benefits accounted for 31.5% of total employer compensation costs in June 2026; that is an economy-wide average, not an IT-specific multiplier. (BLS: computer support specialists, BLS: network and systems administrators, BLS: employer compensation costs)
For an outside provider, compare the monthly or project fee with what is actually included. Ask about setup charges, out-of-scope projects, after-hours coverage, licenses, hardware, response expectations, and whether onsite visits are included. A low monthly price may cover only a narrow slice of the work; a higher price may include services the business does not need.
Why outsourcing often fits an early stage
IT demand can be uneven. A business may need routine account and device support every week, but need a network redesign, security review, or migration only occasionally. Paying a provider for a defined scope can be more practical than hiring several specialists or asking one employee to be expert in everything.
That is especially true for security. NIST notes that outsourcing cybersecurity services is common, particularly for small businesses that may not have the budget or in-house expertise for a dedicated specialist. Outsourcing does not remove the business’s responsibility to choose a capable provider, set expectations, and understand what remains its own responsibility.
Watch for the point where the model needs to change
Revisit the arrangement when technology work becomes a steady, daily part of operations; employees need frequent hands-on help; systems are complex or unique to the business; or internal teams need someone who can make immediate decisions with deep knowledge of the company.
That does not always mean replacing the provider with a full department. A hybrid arrangement can work well: an internal coordinator or IT generalist understands the business and handles daily priorities, while an outside partner provides help desk capacity, network expertise, security services, or project support. A growing company may bring some responsibilities in-house while keeping specialist support external.
Make the decision with a workload review
Before hiring or renewing a contract, list the work from the last few months: support requests, device and account changes, security tasks, vendor coordination, and projects. Separate work that happens regularly from work that happens occasionally. Identify what is delayed, what only one person knows, and what risks are not being handled.
Then compare realistic options: keep the current provider, adjust the scope, add an internal owner, or build a co-managed plan. Use written service responsibilities and costs so the comparison is about outcomes and coverage—not just one salary against one monthly invoice.
Further reading
- Building Your Small Business’s Cybersecurity Team: From In-House to Outsourcing — NIST
- Computer Support Specialists — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employer Costs for Employee Compensation — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How SLTS can help
SLTS can help small businesses review their support needs, clarify what should be handled in-house, and compare managed or co-managed options. Explore IT/Network/Managed Services or talk through your current setup.