The total costs that a company incurs by employing staff. These include wages, salaries, social security contributions, and other payroll-related costs.
example
Durch die Neueinstellungen sind die Personalkosten im letzten Quartal stark gestiegen.
Due to the new hires, personnel costs rose sharply last quarter.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is composed of 'Personal' (the staff of a company) and 'Kosten' (costs). It therefore describes all costs incurred for employees.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen muss seine Personalkosten besser kontrollieren.
The company needs to control its personnel costs better.
Use in the plural
'Personalkosten' is almost always used in the plural because it refers to the totality of many different types of costs, such as salaries, insurance, etc. A singular form is uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Die Personalkosten machen einen großen Teil des Budgets aus.
Personnel costs make up a large part of the budget.
Typical collocations
In a business context, people often talk about changing personnel costs. Typical verbs are 'Personalkosten senken' (to lower personnel costs), 'reduzieren' (to reduce), 'einsparen' (to save on), or the opposite, 'die Personalkosten steigen' (personnel costs rise).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma plant, die Personalkosten im nächsten Jahr zu senken.
The company plans to lower personnel costs next year.