Contingency, flat-fee, retained, and embedded recruiting are priced in completely different ways, which makes them hard to compare. Here is how BizFirst’s published fees line up against the typical market, so you can weigh total cost, not just a percentage. We are based in Ashburn and recruit nationwide.
Most firms use one or two of these models. BizFirst offers all of them, and publishes the price for each, so you can pick the structure that fits the role instead of paying for one that does not.
| Model | Typical market | BizFirst |
|---|---|---|
| Contingency placement | About 20 to 30% of salary | DirectHire, 10 to 15% |
| Single straightforward hire | About 15 to 25% | Flat $3,500 through HireSelect |
| Embedded recruiting (RPO) | Monthly, varies widely | PartnerHire Core, from $8,500/mo + $1,000/hire |
| Full embedded function | Varies | PartnerHire Complete, from $18,000/mo + $1,000/hire |
| Retained executive search | About 25 to 35% placement fee | Senior-led search, scoped per engagement |
Market ranges are typical industry figures for comparison. BizFirst figures are current published pricing and may vary by role difficulty and scope.
A percentage is abstract until you put a salary behind it. Here is the contingency math: BizFirst DirectHire at 10 to 15 percent against a traditional 25 percent fee. The higher the salary, the wider the gap.
| First-year salary | BizFirst (10 to 15%) | Traditional 25% | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $10,000 to $15,000 | $25,000 | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| $150,000 | $15,000 to $22,500 | $37,500 | $15,000 to $22,500 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 to $30,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 to $30,000 |
| $300,000 | $30,000 to $45,000 | $75,000 | $30,000 to $45,000 |
Most buyers do not need the cheapest recruiter. They need the right model at a fee they can see and plan around, run by senior people. That is the whole idea behind our pricing.
DirectHire contingency at 10 to 15 percent, with a senior Client Delivery Lead on every search.
PartnerHire embedded recruiting and RPO for steady or high-volume hiring, billed monthly.
Retained executive search, scoped per engagement, run with discretion.
It depends on the model. Contingency placement typically runs about 20 to 30 percent of first-year salary, retained executive search about 25 to 35 percent, and embedded recruiting or RPO is billed monthly. BizFirst publishes its fees: DirectHire contingency at 10 to 15 percent, embedded PartnerHire from $8,500 a month plus $1,000 per placement, and a flat-fee single-role option through HireSelect.
Contingency is usually a lower percentage than retained, but the right choice depends on the role. Retained and engaged search fits confidential or hard-to-fill leadership hires. The total dollar cost matters more than the label, which is why comparing the actual fee at your salary level is the useful test.
DirectHire contingency is 10 to 15 percent of first-year salary. PartnerHire Core embedded recruiting starts at $8,500 a month plus $1,000 per placement, and PartnerHire Complete from $18,000 a month. A flat-fee single-role search is available through HireSelect. Executive and cleared roles are scoped per engagement.
Tell us the roles and salaries you are hiring for, and we will recommend the right model and send a firm quote, usually within one business day.
Start hiringBook a time, email us, or just call. Whatever's easiest.
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