Understanding Recruiter Commissions in the UK: What Earnings Look Like for Placement Professionals

In the competitive world of recruitment, many professionals and clients alike are curious about the earning potential of recruiters, particularly regarding how commission structures translate into actual income. A common question is: if a recruiter successfully places a candidate into a role with a certain salary, what portion of that fee do they typically take home?

How Do Recruitment Commissions Work?

Generally, recruitment agencies operate on a commission-based model. When a recruiter places a candidate into a role, the agency earns a fee—often a percentage of the candidate’s annual salary. This fee serves as both an incentive and a reward for successfully matching talent with client needs.

Case Study: Placement in a £35,000 Per Year Role

To illustrate, consider a scenario where a recruiter places a candidate into a position with an annual salary of £35,000. How much of this salary would the recruiter typically receive as commission?

  • Standard Commission Rates:
    In the UK, recruitment agencies often charge clients a fee ranging from 15% to 25% of the candidate’s first-year salary. The exact percentage can vary depending on the industry, the seniority of the role, and the agency’s policies.

  • Estimated Earnings for the Recruiter:
    Applying a typical commission of around 20%, the agency would earn approximately:

[
£35,000 \times 20\% = £7,000
]

However, it’s important to note that this amount is usually split between the agency and the individual recruiter, depending on the agency’s internal commission split structure.

What Does a Recruiter Actually Take Home?

While the total fee the agency generates may be around £7,000, the recruiter’s personal earnings depend on their contractual arrangement with the agency.

  • Pay Structures:
    Many recruitment consultants work on a commission split basis—sometimes earning around 10-20% of the fee generated from each placement. For example, if a recruiter earns 10% of the total fee:

[
£7,000 \times 10\% = £700
]

Therefore, the recruiter would take home approximately £700 for that placement.

  • Additional Factors:
    Some agencies may have retainer fees or use sliding scales, which can influence individual earnings. Experience, seniority, and the specific agency’s policies also