Recruitment Consultant Salary Calculator
Estimate your total On-Target Earnings (OTE) as a recruitment consultant. Factor in your base salary, commission rate, and expected monthly billings.
Estimate Your Total Earnings
Adjust the inputs below to see how your base pay, commission structure, and billing performance combine to determine your total annual compensation.
Your Earnings Estimate
Based on your entered figures
How Recruitment Compensation Works
Understanding the core components of agency pay helps you negotiate your offer and maximise your earning potential.
Base Salary
This is your guaranteed fixed annual pay, regardless of your billing performance. It provides financial stability while you build your desk.
Commission Rate
The percentage of the fees you generate that is paid out to you as a bonus. Rates typically range from 10% to 30%, depending on seniority and whether you are in a 180 or 360 role.
Monthly Billings
The total value of the recruitment fees you bring into the business each month. This is the multiplier that drives your commission earnings.
Total OTE (On-Target Earnings)
The realistic total annual compensation you can expect if you consistently hit your monthly billing targets. OTE = Base Salary + (Monthly Billings × 12 × Commission Rate).
Average Recruitment Salary Bands
A baseline overview of typical base salaries and OTE expectations across different career stages in the UK recruitment industry.
| Career Level | Typical Base Salary | Typical OTE | Role Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resourcer / Researcher | £22,000 – £28,000 | £25,000 – £32,000 | Focuses on candidate sourcing and market mapping. Little to no client-facing business development. |
| 180 Consultant (Delivery) | £25,000 – £35,000 | £35,000 – £50,000 | Handles candidate management, interviewing, and placement, but relies on a Business Development Manager for new clients. |
| 360 Consultant | £30,000 – £45,000 | £50,000 – £80,000+ | End-to-end responsibility: winning new client accounts, taking job briefs, sourcing, and placing candidates. |
| Principal / Team Manager | £45,000 – £60,000+ | £80,000 – £120,000+ | Manages a team of consultants, handles key accounts, and earns overrides on team billings in addition to personal commission. |
Recruitment Salary FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about recruitment compensation, commission structures, and career progression.
OTE stands for On-Target Earnings. It is the expected total annual compensation a recruitment consultant will earn if they hit their targets, calculated as Base Salary + Expected Commission.
A 180 recruiter focuses on either candidate delivery or business development (sales), but not both. A 360 recruiter handles the entire end-to-end process, from winning new client accounts to sourcing, interviewing, and placing candidates, typically commanding a higher commission rate.
Commission is usually calculated as a percentage of the billings (fees) you generate for the agency. For example, if you generate £10,000 in monthly billings and your commission rate is 15%, your monthly commission is £1,500.
Yes, many agencies offer additional incentives such as car allowances, pension contributions, holiday allowances above the statutory minimum, and performance-based bonuses (e.g., for hitting quarterly targets or ‘President’s Club’ trips).