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Retained search costs 25 to 35% with a third paid at signing; contingency costs about 20% at the start date and nothing if the search stalls. Here are both priced on one $220,000 head of engineering, and the four cases where retained is worth it.
Contingency recruiting is the normal model and costs $0 until someone starts, then a percent of first-year salary. Here is what that means in cash on a $140,000 hire, and the five lines of a no-retainer agreement where the money actually hides.
An agency quoted 25% on a $190,000 senior backend engineer, which is $47,500 for one hire. Here is where 25% sits in the 15 to 25% range, what the fee actually pays for, and what each point is worth before your next call with the agency.