March 18, 2026
For businesses in Little Rock with 10–50 employees, outsourcing IT services is often more cost-effective and reliable than hiring a full-time internal IT employee. A typical internal IT manager costs $70,000–$90,000 per year plus benefits, while outsourced managed IT services usually range between $30,000–$54,000 annually for companies managing around 20 devices.
Many businesses across Central and Southeast Arkansas, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, and Pine Bluff, rely on managed IT providers to maintain cybersecurity protection and reliable technology systems.
Understanding the cost differences and operational benefits between internal IT and outsourced IT can help business owners make the best decision for their organization.
The True Cost of Hiring an Internal IT Employee
Many companies assume hiring an internal IT person is the simplest solution. However, the total cost is often much higher than expected.
Typical internal IT costs include:
- Salary: $70,000–$90,000
- Payroll taxes and benefits
- Cybersecurity software tools
- Backup systems
- Training and certifications
- Vacation and sick time coverage
When these expenses are combined, the true annual cost can exceed $100,000 for a single IT professional.
What Outsourced Managed IT Services Typically Cost
Managed IT providers usually charge a fixed monthly fee per device to manage and protect business technology.
For example:
- $125–$225 per device per month
- 20 devices = $2,500–$4,500 per month
- Annual cost = $30,000–$54,000
Businesses evaluating outsourced IT often want a deeper breakdown of pricing structures and what influences those costs. Our guide How Much Does Managed IT Cost in Little Rock? explains typical pricing models and what businesses should expect to pay for managed IT services.
Expertise: One IT Person vs an Entire IT Team
Technology environments today include many specialized areas such as:
- cybersecurity protection
- network management
- cloud services
- backup systems
- compliance requirements
Managed IT providers typically offer access to:
- helpdesk technicians
- network engineers
- cybersecurity specialists
- cloud support professionals
This team-based model allows businesses to receive broader expertise than a single hire.
Coverage and Business Continuity
One challenge with internal IT staff is availability.
If the employee is:
- on vacation
- sick
- unavailable after hours
support may be delayed.
A managed IT provider gives businesses access to broader support coverage, structured processes, and a team-based service model that reduces dependency on one person.
Understanding the Total IT Budget
Many business owners evaluating internal IT versus outsourcing also want to understand how technology spending fits into their overall operating budget.
Our guide What Is a Realistic IT Budget for a 30-Employee Business in Arkansas? explains how businesses typically allocate technology spending and plan their IT investments.
How to Evaluate IT Providers
Businesses comparing internal IT and outsourced providers should also understand how to evaluate different IT companies.
Our guide How to Choose the Right Managed IT Provider in Little Rock explains the most important factors businesses should consider before selecting a technology partner.
Real Example: Government Agency
A government agency partnered with Mansour’s Computer Solutions after experiencing an email security breach that required immediate attention.
The Mansour team responded the same day, resolved the issue quickly, and implemented stronger cybersecurity protections moving forward.
“Since partnering with Mansour’s Computer Solutions out of Little Rock, Arkansas, our company has seen a significant boost in both security and peace of mind. When we experienced an email breach, their team responded the same day, resolved the issue promptly, and gave us the confidence to entrust them with all our IT needs.
We had never worked with an IT firm before, and now we can't imagine needing anyone else. The team is responsive, professional, and genuinely committed to helping us succeed.
As a small business without an in-house IT department, Mansour’s has become an essential extension of our operations—keeping our systems secure and running smoothly. If you're on the fence, don’t be. Choosing Mansour’s was one of the best decisions we've made.”
— Government Agency Client, Central Arkansas
About Mansour Computers
Mansour Computers provides cybersecurity-focused managed IT services for small and midsize businesses throughout Arkansas, with a primary focus on Central and Southeast Arkansas.
The company regularly supports organizations across:
- Little Rock
- North Little Rock
- Sherwood
- Pine Bluff
- and surrounding Arkansas communities
With over 20 years of experience, Mansour Computers helps organizations with 10–50 employees maintain secure and reliable technology environments through proactive monitoring, cybersecurity protection, and predictable fixed-fee IT support.
Businesses without an internal IT department rely on Mansour Computers as a trusted technology partner to keep their systems secure and operating efficiently.
Book a Quick 10-Min Discovery Call Today!
If you're evaluating IT support for your business or want to improve your cybersecurity protection, schedule a quick discovery call with our team to discuss your needs and answer any questions.