Global mobility isn’t just about moving people—it’s about making smart talent investments. Every assignment or transfer carries a price tag, and those costs can look very different depending on the route, policy, and structure. In a world of more precise and actionable data, the previously accepted rule of thumb that an assignment costs 3-4 times the employee’s salary will no longer cut it.
This is where mobility has a unique opportunity: to get ahead of decisions, provide the facts before commitments are made, and ensure that business leaders see the full picture. The way to earn that seat at the table? By turning complex data into clear, actionable insight.
Leveraging AIRINC data and our tax engine, we used the Assignment Cost Estimator (ACE) to create this infographic to encourage you to advise and influence with data.
Our infographic makes it simple. Each assignment route is broken down into three main cost drivers:
your baseline employment costs.
relocation and assignment-related expenses.
employee income taxes and social security obligations.
We also show the Cost Multiple, which is a quick way to say: “This assignment will cost 2.8x salary.” It’s a metric that grabs attention and sparks conversation.
This infographic is designed to help inspire you to engage your stakeholders, highlight what really drives mobility costs, and influence decisions before the talent discussion begins.
You need reliable data, clear frameworks for explaining costs, and the ability to compare policies and scenarios in ways that resonate with stakeholders.
Global mobility is at a crossroads. With AI adoption, shifting employee expectations, rising regulatory complexity, and increasing cost pressures, traditional measures of success are no longer enough. Read our latest white paper, THRIVE, to see how mobility programs can move beyond efficiency and compliance toward true strategic impact. Are your programs simply surviving, or are they thriving?
Not sure how taxes could be impacting your mobility program? Get in touch to see how we can help!
