Most recruiters charge a percentage of the hire's first-year salary. Here is what that works out to, why it climbs so fast, and how a flat fee compares.
The short answer
Most contingency recruiters charge 15 to 25% of the hire's first-year base salary, billed when the candidate starts. On a $75,000 role that is roughly $11,000 to $18,000. On a $120,000 role it is $18,000 to $30,000. Retained search (usually for executives) runs higher and is billed in installments whether or not you hire.
The percentage model means the fee climbs with the salary, even though the work of finding the person is often the same. That is the core reason hiring for a mid-level role through an agency feels so expensive.
The math
At 15 to 25% of first-year salary.
The fee scales with the salary, not the effort.
Senior roles get expensive fast.
Types of recruiter fees
Contingency: you pay only if you hire, but the fee is a percentage of salary (commonly 15 to 25%) and usually comes with an exclusivity window.
Retained: used for executive search. You pay an upfront retainer in installments, typically 25 to 33% of total first-year compensation, whether or not a hire is made.
Flat fee: a fixed price per role regardless of salary. This is what HireSelect uses, so the cost is predictable and the same on a $60,000 or a $160,000 hire.
A flat-fee alternative
Instead of a percentage, HireSelect charges $500 to start and $3,000 on delivery of your shortlist. You get a shortlist of 3 to 5 recruiter-vetted candidates in 5 to 7 business days. On a $120,000 hire, that is $3,500 instead of $18,000 to $30,000, an affordable, low-cost option that stays under $5,000 on any salary.
A vetted shortlist for one role, flat $3,500, due on delivery.
Book a 30-Minute Call$500 to start · No percentage of salary, ever
The company behind HireSelect
BizFirstBizFirst is a boutique recruiting firm with 60+ years of combined recruiting experience placing talent across technology, AI, government contracting, and cleared roles. Need ongoing or embedded recruiting rather than a one-role shortlist? BizFirst offers contingent DirectHire and monthly PartnerHire (RPO) engagements.
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