PRICE GUIDE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL · 2026–2027
Recruitment Agency cost in the UK
£2,000–£15,000 per hire. Typically £7,500.
A recruitment agency fee for a permanent hire typically runs from £2,000 to £15,000 in the UK, with about £7,500 typical for a mid-level professional role. Most agencies charge a percentage of first-year salary, so junior roles cost least and senior or niche hires cost the most.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does a recruitment agency cost in the UK?
| Low end | £2,000 | a junior role or a flat-fee vacancy |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £7,500 | what most people pay |
| High end | £15,000 | a senior or niche headhunt |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the accountants, solicitors and professional firms near you.
What moves the price
- Salary of the role — most recruitment agencies charge a percentage of the first-year salary
- Seniority and niche skills — hard-to-fill and senior roles carry a higher percentage fee
- Contingency or retained — retained searches take part of the fee upfront for a dedicated search
- Exclusivity — giving one agency the role exclusively can bring a lower recruitment fee
- Rebate period — a longer free replacement or refund period is worth negotiating
- Headhunting — targeted searches for passive candidates cost more
Professional services prices in the UK are up 12% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Other services n.e.c., to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical recruitment agency would have cost about £5350 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7FR →
WHAT YOU GET
What a recruitment agency booking includes
Takes: Most permanent roles take four to twelve weeks from briefing to offer. Not included: Pre-employment checks, onboarding and HR consultancy are often priced separately — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common recruitment agency jobs
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Recruitment Agency near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Negotiate the percentage recruitment fee before the agency sends any CVs
- Give one recruitment agency the role exclusively in return for a lower fee
- Agree a rebate or free replacement if the new hire leaves early
Before you book
- Get the agency's terms and fees in writing before it introduces any candidates
- Check how the recruitment fee is calculated, including bonuses and benefits in the salary
- Remember you still carry out right to work checks yourself on the person the recruitment agency introduces
- Recruitment agencies work under the Conduct Regulations, which set rules on charges and terms, so you can ask how theirs comply
Recruitment Agency cost: questions people ask
Typically £2,000 to £15,000 per permanent hire, with about £7,500 typical for a mid-level professional role. Junior roles cost the least; senior and niche searches cost the most.
Usually four to twelve weeks from briefing to accepted offer, longer for senior or specialist roles.
Usually, yes. Most agencies charge a percentage of the first-year salary for permanent roles, while some charge a flat fee per vacancy.
Many agencies offer a rebate or a free replacement within a set period, so check this in the terms before you agree.
Pre-employment checks, onboarding and HR support are usually separate. Some agencies offer them as paid extras.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, drawn from published UK recruitment fee guides. They show a national range, not a quote.
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