Agency vs In-House Recruitment Calculator
Compare the total cost of an external agency vs. building an in-house recruiter, including vacancy cost.
Recruitment Fee Calculator
Compare recruitment fee structures. See how percentage-based fees translate to real costs across salary levels.
Job Details
Enter the base information about the job
Contingency Search
Multiple agencies on one role and higher fees
Typical range: 30-40%
External Fee:
￥0
Internal Admin:
￥0
Vacancy Cost:
￥0
Total Cost:
￥0
Exclusive Search
Single trusted agency and lower fees
Typical range: 20-30%
External Fee:
￥0
Internal Admin:
￥0
Vacancy Cost:
￥0
Total Cost:
￥0
Exclusive search saves you ￥0 (0% less) compared to contingency search.
Compare Real Proposals
Agencies on AirTA propose with the fee stated upfront, so you can compare them on the same basis this calculator uses.
Companies never pay to post a job or to review proposals.
What You Can Do With It
Budget a Senior Hire
Before approving a search, translate the salary band into the realistic external recruitment cost — agency fee included.
Compare Two Agency Proposals
Two proposals at different percentages can be hard to compare. Plug both into the calculator and see the absolute cost difference for your salary band.
Build a Total Hiring Cost Model
Combine the agency fee with your internal cost-per-hire and vacancy cost to get the true total cost of an unfilled role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical recruitment fee in Japan?
Contingency recruitment fees in Japan typically range from 30% to 40% of first-year base salary. Exclusive searches usually settle lower, at 20% to 30%, in exchange for exclusivity.
Is the fee calculated on base salary or total comp?
Most Japanese recruitment contracts calculate the fee on first-year base salary. Some include guaranteed bonuses; sign-on bonuses and equity are usually excluded.
When is the fee paid?
For contingency, typically on the candidate's start date. For retained, fees are split (e.g., 1/3 on engagement, 1/3 on shortlist, 1/3 on placement).
Are there refund or replacement guarantees?
Most reputable agencies offer a 90-day replacement guarantee. Some offer a pro-rated refund if no replacement is found.
Should I negotiate the percentage?
Yes. Exclusive engagement, multi-role commitments, or longer notice periods are all legitimate grounds for a lower percentage.
Is this calculator localized for Japan?
Yes. Salary inputs work in JPY and the conventions match Japanese recruitment market norms.
Related Tools
Recruitment Model Quiz: Contingency, Exclusive, or Retained
Answer five questions and get a recommendation on which recruitment model fits the role you're hiring for.
Hiring Timeline Builder
Work backwards from each start date to the day the search has to open. Price the plan, export to PDF, save your work.
Compare Fees on Real Proposals
The calculator prices the models. On AirTA agencies propose with the fee stated upfront, so the same comparison holds through to acceptance.