Average annual pretax savings by hourly-worker industry: Alice user data, 2026
Meta description: What hourly workers save in pretax commuter benefits, by industry. Based on Alice user data for the 2026 plan year.
Target keywords: commuter benefit savings by industry, hourly worker pretax savings, average commuter benefit savings, restaurant retail savings 2026
Footnote stack: Savings estimates, Plan details, Tax & legal advice
Body
Pretax commuter benefits work differently across industries depending on commute patterns, location, and average wages. Based on Alice user data across the 2026 plan year so far, here's what we see for typical annual savings by industry.
Industry-by-industry view
[Alice content team to fill in 2026 aggregate data: average annual employee savings, average employer FICA savings, average election amount, top-three eligible expense categories, by the following industries:]
- Restaurants and food service
- Healthcare (hospitals, long-term care, urgent care)
- Retail (general merchandise, grocery, specialty)
- Hospitality (hotels, gaming, entertainment)
- Logistics and warehousing
- Manufacturing (shift-based)
- Public-sector contractors
- Higher education (staff and adjuncts)
- Construction and trades
What drives the spread
Three factors usually explain industry differences: (1) commute mode (transit-heavy urban hospitality vs. parking-heavy suburban manufacturing), (2) shift count (one shift per day vs. multiple commute days), and (3) wage band (savings scale with marginal tax rate).
How savings break down
For each industry, the employee captures federal income tax, state income tax (where applicable), and FICA savings (7.65%). The employer captures the matching 7.65% FICA. A worker electing $200/month across transit and parking at a 25% combined rate keeps roughly $600/year. The employer captures ~$184/year on the same election. Keep more of what you make.
Why the data matters
Sales and HR teams use industry benchmarks to set expectations for new rollouts. CFO conversations focus on employer-side FICA. CHRO conversations focus on the employee-side take-home and retention impact (see Article 49).
A note on methodology
[Alice content team: include methodology footnote — sample sizes, time window, geography mix, how savings are calculated, and what's excluded.]
Employers: sales@thisisalice.com or (929) 552-4625. Employees: support@thisisalice.com or (888) 431-4355.
Savings shown or implied, including any reference to "cash back" or take-home pay, are illustrative. Actual savings depend on your tax rate, benefit elections, and eligible spending each pay period. "Cash back" in Alice's materials refers to the federal, state, and FICA payroll taxes you don't pay on eligible commuter spending. Specific benefits, election rules, and run-out periods depend on your employer's plan design. Check with your HR team or plan administrator for details. Alice does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult your own tax preparer, lawyer, or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.