What Phoenix Business Owners Need to Know About IT Support Costs
One of the most common questions we hear from Phoenix business owners is: “How much should I be paying for IT support?” It’s a fair question — and the answer depends on whether you’re taking a reactive or proactive approach to technology management.
Here’s the complete breakdown so you can make an informed decision for your business.
The Two Models: Break-Fix vs. Managed IT
Break-Fix IT Support
This is the traditional model — something breaks, you call a technician, they fix it, you get a bill. It sounds simple, but the costs add up fast:
- Hourly rates in Phoenix: $125 – $250 per hour
- Emergency rates: $200 – $400 per hour (nights/weekends)
- Average repair time: 2-4 hours per incident
- Average incidents per month: 3-5 for a 20-person office
- Estimated monthly cost: $750 – $5,000+ (unpredictable)
The biggest problem with break-fix? You’re paying for downtime. Every hour your systems are down costs your business an average of $427 per minute for small businesses.
Managed IT Services
With managed IT, you pay a flat monthly fee and your provider handles everything proactively — monitoring, maintenance, security, backups, help desk, and strategic planning.
- Per-user pricing in Phoenix: $100 – $300 per user per month
- Per-device pricing: $50 – $150 per device per month
- Flat-rate for small business (10-25 employees): $1,500 – $5,000 per month
- Includes: 24/7 monitoring, help desk, security, backups, vendor management
The key difference: Managed IT prevents problems before they happen, eliminating most emergency situations and the expensive downtime that comes with them.
The Real Cost Comparison
Hiring an In-House IT Person
- Average salary in Phoenix: $55,000 – $85,000 per year
- Benefits, taxes, insurance: Add 25-35% ($13,750 – $29,750)
- Training and certifications: $3,000 – $8,000 per year
- Tools and software: $5,000 – $15,000 per year
- Total annual cost: $76,750 – $137,750
- Monthly equivalent: $6,396 – $11,479
And that’s for ONE person who can’t be available 24/7, takes vacation, and may not have expertise in every area your business needs (networking, security, cloud, compliance, etc.).
Managed IT Provider (like MBPS)
- Monthly cost for 20-person office: $2,000 – $4,000
- Includes a full team of engineers, security specialists, and help desk
- 24/7 monitoring and support
- All tools and software included
- Annual savings vs. in-house: $28,000 – $90,000+
What’s Included in Managed IT Pricing
When you partner with a managed IT provider like MBPS, your monthly fee typically includes:
- Unlimited help desk support — Phone, email, and remote assistance
- 24/7 network monitoring — Catching problems before they affect your business
- Cybersecurity protection — Antivirus, firewall management, threat detection
- Data backup and recovery — Automated daily backups with tested recovery
- Patch management — Keeping all software updated and secure
- Vendor management — We deal with your internet, phone, and software vendors
- Strategic planning — Technology roadmap aligned with your business goals
- On-site support — When remote can’t solve it, we come to you
Hidden Costs of NOT Having Managed IT
Many business owners focus on what managed IT costs without considering what NOT having it costs:
- Downtime: Average of $427/minute for small businesses
- Data breach: Average cost of $120,000+ for small businesses
- Compliance fines: HIPAA fines up to $1.5 million per violation
- Lost productivity: Employees waste 22 minutes per day on IT issues
- Lost customers: 60% of small businesses close within 6 months of a major cyberattack
How to Choose the Right IT Provider in Phoenix
Not all managed IT providers are created equal. When evaluating providers, ask:
- Do they offer 24/7 monitoring, not just business hours?
- Are they local to Phoenix with on-site support capabilities?
- Do they have compliance expertise (HIPAA, PCI, SOX)?
- Can they provide references from similar businesses?
- Is pricing flat-rate and predictable, or are there hidden fees?
- Do they take a proactive approach to security, not just reactive?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does IT support cost per month in Phoenix?
For a typical Phoenix small business with 10-25 employees, managed IT services range from $1,500 to $5,000 per month. This includes 24/7 monitoring, help desk, cybersecurity, backups, and strategic planning. Per-user pricing typically falls between $100-$300 per user per month.
Is managed IT cheaper than hiring an IT person?
Yes, in most cases. A single in-house IT employee costs $76,000-$138,000 per year when you include salary, benefits, training, and tools. A managed IT provider gives you an entire team of specialists for a fraction of that cost, with 24/7 coverage that one person simply can’t provide.
What size business needs managed IT?
Any business with 5 or more employees using computers and internet should consider managed IT. Once you have 10+ employees, the cost savings over break-fix support become significant. If you’re in a regulated industry (medical, legal, financial), managed IT is essentially required for compliance.
Can I try managed IT before committing long-term?
Many providers, including MBPS, offer month-to-month agreements rather than long-term contracts. We believe in earning your business every month through results, not locking you into a contract.
Get a Custom Quote for Your Phoenix Business
Every business is different, and your IT needs depend on your size, industry, and goals. Contact MBPS today for a free IT assessment and custom quote tailored to your Phoenix business.
MBPS – Managed IT & Cybersecurity
200 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 351-6194
Mon-Fri: 8 AM – 5 PM
www.mbps.com