Recruitment agency fee calculator
Enter your hiring plan and agency terms to see what percentage-based fees cost across a year — and what the same hires cost on a fixed-fee referral model.
Your hiring plan
All figures are annual and fully editable.
UK contingency fees typically sit between 15 and 25 per cent of first-year salary.
Adjust these to match the plan you are considering.
Estimated annual saving
£57,912
80 per cent below agency spend
- Agency cost per hire
- £12,000
- Linillo cost per hire
- £2,348
- Saving per hire
- £9,652
Estimates only, based on the figures you enter. Agency costs exclude advertising, tooling and internal recruiter time.
How agency fees are worked out
The percentage is only part of the picture — the salary base and rebate terms decide what a placement really costs.
How is a recruitment agency fee calculated?
Contingency agencies charge a percentage of the candidate's first-year salary, usually 15 to 25 per cent. Check whether your terms use basic salary or total first-year earnings, as the latter includes bonus and allowances.
What does Linillo cost per hire?
Three things: a Pilot or Platform subscription, a fee for each referral you receive (identified profiles are free, £25 for a direct referral, £100 for a Verified referral where the candidate has confirmed the conversation), and a hire reward you set on the role — around 3% of first-year salary is our recommendation — against the 15 to 25 per cent an agency charges.
Are the savings in this calculator guaranteed?
No. The calculator is an estimate based on the figures you enter. Actual savings depend on your agency terms, salary levels and how many hires you make through referrals.
Want the detail? Read the full guide to recruitment agency fees, see how to reduce them, work out your total cost per hire, or compare Linillo against a recruitment agency.
See what the same hires cost on Linillo.
Subscription, a fixed fee per referral and a hire reward you set — billed monthly in arrears.