Just for fun

Here is an old sample of Executive Search and Staffing Agency Salaries in 2002. Not much different from today. Recruiting has changed quite a bit. Entry level recruiters are now making minimum wage and more seasoned recruiters have taken a pay reduction. In 2002, a contract senior technical recruiter was making $120/h. That same recruiter might be making $60/h today, a couple of decades later. Internet sourcing and networking has made the role easier, yet being able to identify top talent is still an art.

With regard to salary for the Executive and Staffing Recruiter, I did some research along with my experience and came up with the following:  I've seen a base between $25K and $120K.  The position of Recruiter can look identical to that of a Business Development or Account Executive:

Base plus Commission:
$40K base with a 25% commission.  12.5% to the AE and 12.5% to the recruiter or 25% to those who bring in both the client and the candidate.  Actual numbers might equate to:

This scenario usually includes an increasing commission percentage either per year or per $100K billed. The percentage may increase in increments of 5% capping off at 40%.

Draw against Commission:
$40K draw against a 40% commission.  20% to the AE and 20% to the recruiter or 40% to those who bring in both the client and the candidate.   Actual numbers might equate to:

MRI, Bridgegate, Hall Kinion, Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles,  The Lucas Group, The Ankenbrandt Group, and Drake offer a draw (see below).  Some of these companies offer an increasing percentage of 10% per year or per $100K billed capping off at 60-70%.

Base plus Bonus: 
$40K base with a $4k bonus.  $2K to the AE and $2K to the recruiter or $4K to those who bring in both the client and candidate.
Actual numbers might equate to:

This scenario will reduce the incentive to obtain higher level salaried candidates.  This scenario is usually found with junior to mid-level corporate recruiters. Senior level recruiters may earn as much as $80-100K plus bonus.

These scenarios are based on one AE to one recruiter.

Keep in mind that most recruiting firms and agencies split the commission/bonus evenly between the AE and recruiter or each recruiter.  There is a completely different scenario for one who brings in a client with multiple positions (3 or more).  Then the split goes to 25/75.  The owner of the client receives 25% and the one who staffs the positions receives 75% of the total commission.

These scenarios are primarily base on Executive Search firms.  Staffing Agencies are much different with ongoing hourly temp or consulting candidates and the average base is $30K with a commission of 5-12% of hourly billed.  The volume is much greater.  On their permanent placement side, an Agency will offer 10-25% commission with that base.  I’ve not seen a total commission lower than 10%.

Double the salary above per employee for Executive Search and those who work both sides of the desk, doing both client and candidate search; like most great recruiters who average $200K -$250K, which equates to 2-3 placements a month consistently.

Agencies Salaries:  ($20-60K salary candidates)  (Most Agencies below split the desks between AE and recruiter)
Apple One permanent side offers a $35-$50K base with 15% commission.
Adecco perm side offers a $35-$45k base with 20% commission.
Remedy’s perm side offers a base of $30-$50K and a commission of 20%. 
Volt’s perm side offers a base of $30K and a commission of 20-40%. 
Culver is on the level of an Agency with their salary structure offers a $35k base and 15% commission. 
Search West is also in the Agency category offering $35K base with 15% commission. 
Spherion offers a $35k base with 15% commission.
Impact Search offers a $50K base with 20% of the first $100K billed and increases to 30%

Executive Search:  ($60-500K salary candidates) (Some firms split the desks between AE and recruiter)
MRI offers $50K draw with 40-50% commission. (some franchises split the desk)
Bridgegate offers $50K draw with 40-50% commission or a base of $50K and 25% commission.
Hall Kinion, offers $45K draw with 40% commission or a base of $40K and 25% commission. They split the desks.
Korn Ferry offers $50K draw with 40-60% commission or a base of $50K and 30% commission. 
Heidrick & Struggles offers $50K draw with 40-60% commission. 
The Lucas Group offers $36-$50K draw with 40-50% commission.
The Ankenbrandt Group offers $50K draw with 40-50% commission.
Drake International offers $50K draw with 40-50% commission.
The Advantage Group West offers $50K draw with 50% commission or a base of $50K and 25% commission.

Corporate Recruiters:  (Most include an additional quarterly bonus and/or a per hire incentive)
Junior level $35-$50K base plus $200 per hire.
Mid level $45-$60K base plus $300 per hire.
Senior level $60-$95K base plus $500 per hire or $3-$5K quarterly.
Management level $80-$100K plus $500 per hire and overrides or $3-$5K quarterly.
Director level $90-$120K plus $600 per hire and overrides or $5-$8k quarterly.

Contract Recruiters:  (Southern CA, add 25% for Northern CA)  (Some include a per hire bonus from $200 - $800)
Junior level Corporate Consultants range from $20-$35hr 
Senior level Corporate Consultants range from $60-$120hr 
All others are everywhere in-between