Free tools

AI SDR ROI calculator

Updated

Short answer

One US SDR seat costs about $9,300 a month fully loaded ($80,000 median OTE × 1.4) and books about 8 meetings, so roughly $1,170 per meeting. An AI SDR plan at $149 a month plus three hours a week of review time costs about $800 a month; at 2.5 meetings per 1,000 emails, 5,000 emails book about 12. Change any input to see your own numbers.

Median SDR OTE (US)
$80,000
Fully loaded multiplier
1.4x
Median meetings per SDR
8–10 a month
Average cold email reply rate
3.43%
One SDR seat, a month$9,333
SDR cost per meeting$1,167
AI SDR setup, a month$799
AI SDR meetings a month12.5
AI SDR cost per meeting$64
Difference over a year$102,418

The AI SDR setup costs $8,535 a month less than one SDR seat.

How the calculator works

SDR cost a month = on-target earnings × multiplier ÷ 12. AI SDR cost a month = plan + data and tools + review hours × hourly value × 4.33 weeks. AI SDR meetings = emails ÷ 1,000 × meetings per 1,000. Cost per meeting is each monthly cost divided by its meetings.

Where do the default numbers come from?

  • $80,000 OTE: the Bridge Group’s 2025 report, 351 B2B companies, $55,000 base and $25,000 variable. Built In’s average total pay of $83,110 agrees.
  • 1.4x load: the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts private-industry compensation at $46.89 an hour against $32.82 in wages (1.43x) before tools and management; Glencoco’s 2026 report puts a US SDR seat at $110,000 to $173,000 a year.
  • 8 meetings a month: the Bridge Group’s median quota is 10 held meetings, and only 60% of SDRs reach it.
  • 2.5 meetings per 1,000 emails: Instantly measured a 3.43% average reply rate across 2025; about 14% of replies are positive (roughly 0.5% of emails), and the default assumes half of those book. Belkins booked about 0.16 per 1,000 across 7.5 million emails, while lemlist cites 5 to 25 per 1,000 for strong campaigns, so test this input.

When does an SDR hire still make sense?

When deals are large and few, the buyer list is short, and each meeting needs a researched phone call, a person is worth the cost. An AI SDR earns its keep on volume: many accounts, a clear buyer, and messages that can start from public signals. Many teams run both, with the AI SDR filling the calendar and the SDR or founder taking the calls. Our AI SDR vs human SDR comparison goes through the trade-offs, and AI SDR pricing lists what other tools charge.

Outbound Labs starts with 750 free emails, and you approve every campaign before it sends. Run it on your own website to see the campaigns it would plan.

Frequently asked questions

What does an SDR really cost per month?
At the 2025 US median on-target earnings of $80,000 and a 1.4x load for benefits, payroll tax, tools and management, one SDR seat costs about $9,300 a month, or about $112,000 a year.
How many meetings does an SDR book per month?
The Bridge Group’s 2025 report puts the median quota at 10 held meetings a month, with 60% of SDRs hitting it. Glencoco’s 2026 report puts the median at 8 to 10 qualified meetings. The calculator uses 8.
How many meetings do 1,000 cold emails book?
There is no consistent benchmark: published figures run from about 0.16 to 25 meetings per 1,000 emails. The default of 2.5 assumes a 0.5% positive reply rate and that half of positive replies book. Use your own reply data if you have it.
Does an AI SDR replace an SDR?
It replaces the research, list building, first drafts and sending. Most teams keep a person to approve campaigns and take the calls, which is why the calculator includes review hours.
What is left out of this calculation?
Recruiting, the three-month ramp, attrition (about 40% a year for SDRs) and the cost of a manager’s time on the SDR side; contact data you buy for the AI side. Add them to the inputs if they apply to you.

Sources

  1. The Bridge Group: 2025 SDR Metrics and Compensation Report
  2. Built In: SDR salary in the US
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026
  4. Glencoco: 2026 State of Sales Development (PDF)
  5. Instantly: Cold Email Benchmark Report 2026
  6. Something Inc.: Positive reply rate in cold email
  7. lemlist: Cold email benchmarks
  8. Belkins: Cold email response rates

Related

See the agents work on your own site.

Paste your website and get your ideal customer profile, campaigns and first emails. 750 emails free when your spot opens.

Try a free run →