Calculator directory
Engineering cost, tax and licensing calculators
Six tools built on the same benchmarks used in our audits. Each one keeps its inputs in a shareable link, prints a branded executive brief and sends its result to an auditor in one click.
01Cheat sheet: software licensing
The license audit calculator compares what you pay with what the same users would cost on the right license type. Two formulas do most of the work: the Autodesk Flex breakeven and the floating-seat ratio.
| Product | Benchmark | Range |
|---|---|---|
| SOLIDWORKS Standard / Pro / Premium | $3,150 / $3,800 / $5,100 | $2,820-$5,496 |
| AutoCAD LT / AutoCAD / PDMC-AEC | $525 / $1,975 / $3,675 | $505-$3,890 |
| PTC Creo Essentials / Advanced | $3,300 / $6,800 | $3,100-$10,600 |
| Siemens NX Mach 1-3 | $11,500 | $9,200-$16,500 |
| Ansys Mechanical / Fluent | $22,000 + $12,500 HPC Pack | $14,000-$65,000 |
02Cheat sheet: engineering labor
| Model | Benchmark | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| US staffing agency | $72-$135/hr bill | 20%-25% buyout before 520-1,040 hrs |
| Offshore CAD / BIM / FEA FTE | $14 / $18 / $26 per hr | 18% US QA buffer |
| Freelance marketplace | $68/hr avg ($45-$95) | IP assignment terms |
| Turnkey US NPD firm | $165/hr avg ($135-$225) | EVT/DVT change orders |
03Cheat sheet: PE stamps and R&D credits
Every formula above is applied, with its assumptions shown, inside the matching calculator. Results are estimates for planning and negotiation and are not tax or legal advice.
Benchmarks are typical 2025-2026 market ranges compiled by Engineer Aid, an independent desk not affiliated with the vendors named. Quotes vary by region, volume and timing; nothing here is legal, tax or engineering advice. Revised 2026-11-06.
Questions buyers ask
How do I share a calculation with my CFO?
Click "Copy shareable link" in any calculator. The link stores every input in the URL, so anyone who opens it sees the same calculation and can change the inputs.
Can I save the result as a PDF?
Yes. Click "Print / save PDF brief". The tool prints a one-page executive brief with the inputs, the financial outputs and the recommended contract redlines; choose "Save as PDF" in the print dialog.
Do the calculators store my data?
No. Calculations run in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere unless you choose to send the result through the enquiry form.
Which calculator should I start with?
Start with the decision closest in time: a software renewal (license audit), a hiring or outsourcing decision (staffing TCO), a stamping project (PE fee), a tax filing (R&D credit), an AI tool purchase (copilot scorecard) or a vendor contract (RFP builder).