What Does a Recruitment Marketer Cost? And How Do You Compare This to Outsourcing Recruitment Marketing?
Mar 9, 2022
RECRUITMENT MARKETING NEWS

What Does a Recruitment Marketer Cost? And How Do You Compare This to Outsourcing Recruitment Marketing? Recruitment marketing is no longer a luxury for many companies, but a necessity. However, staffing agencies, recruitment agencies, secondment agencies, and hiring and selection agencies struggle with the question: should we hire a recruitment marketer or outsource recruitment marketing? Making the right choice starts with a cost comparison. What does a recruitment marketer cost per month, and what are the hidden costs? How does this compare to a recruitment marketing agency that sets up and executes recruitment campaigns? This article provides a clear overview of the costs and helps you determine which option is best for your organization.
What Does a Recruitment Marketer Cost In-House?
The salary costs of a recruitment marketer depend on experience and the location of the company. Below is an overview of the average gross salaries in the Netherlands:
Experience | Average Gross Monthly Salary | Total Costs per Year (incl. employer costs) |
|---|---|---|
Junior Recruitment Marketer | €2,800 - €3,500 | €45,000 - €55,000 |
Medior Recruitment Marketer | €3,500 - €4,500 | €55,000 - €75,000 |
Senior Recruitment Marketer | €4,500 - €6,000 | €75,000 - €100,000 |
In addition to the salary, there are extra costs such as:
Recruitment marketing tools (ATS, social media ads, AI sourcing) – €500 to €2,000 per month.
Training and courses – €2,000 to €5,000 per year.
Advertising budget for social media and Google Ads – At least €1,000 per month.
This means that an in-house recruitment marketer, including tools and advertising budget, can cost up to €7,500 per month or more.
Outsourcing Recruitment Marketing: What Does That Cost?
A recruitment marketing agency often provides a complete recruitment marketing solution for a fixed monthly fee. This includes:
Targeted social media campaigns to reach active and passive candidates.
Job marketing on multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google Ads.
AI sourcing and marketing automation for more efficient recruitment.
Employer branding and conversion optimization to attract the best candidates.
Cost Comparison: In-House vs. Recruitment Marketing Agency
Option | Total Monthly Costs | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
In-house recruitment marketer | €5,500+ | Full control, but high costs and limited expertise. |
Recruitment marketing agency | €2,450 - €5000 | Lower costs, immediate results, broad expertise, and scalable campaigns. |
Outsourcing recruitment marketing provides companies with a full marketing department for the cost of one employee.
Why Choose Recruitment Marketing Outsourcing?
1. More Applicants for Lower Costs
A recruitment marketing agency can launch a recruitment campaign live within 24 hours and generates candidates via social media, Google Ads, and job boards. This means you get:
More reach and applicants than just via job boards.
Lower Cost per Lead (CPL) and Cost per Hire (CPH).
More efficient targeting and measurable results.
2. Direct Access to Recruitment Marketing Experts
An in-house recruitment marketer has limited expertise. A recruitment marketing agency has:
Specialists in social media recruitment and employer branding.
Experience with AI sourcing, marketing automation, and analytics.
Data-driven optimization of campaigns.
3. No Extra Investments in Tools and Software
A recruitment marketer needs recruitment marketing software to work effectively. This incurs additional costs for:
ATS systems and CRM software – Average €300 to €1,500 per month.
Social media and Google Ads ad management – At least €1,000 per month.
AI-driven recruitment software – €500 to €2,000 per month.
With outsourcing, all these tools are included, allowing you to save costs directly.
4. Scalable Recruitment Marketing without Permanent Staff
A recruitment marketer works with fixed contracted hours and cannot scale indefinitely. A recruitment marketing agency can:
Scale recruitment campaigns up or down based on need.
Directly deploy additional specialists for larger projects.
Quickly respond to market changes without extra internal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recruitment Marketing Costs
What does recruitment marketing cost per job vacancy?
Depending on the advertising budget and target audience, costs per job vacancy range between €500 and €2,000.
What does a recruitment marketing specialist cost per hour?
A freelance recruitment marketer typically charges €75 to €150 per hour.
What does recruitment marketing software cost?
The costs for recruitment marketing tools such as HubSpot, Greenhouse, or Recruitee range between €300 and €1,500 per month.
Which is cheaper: an in-house recruitment marketer or a recruitment marketing agency?
For companies that want a complete recruitment marketing strategy, outsourcing is often cheaper and more effective than hiring a full-time employee.
Conclusion: In-House Recruitment Marketer or Outsourcing?
When you lay out all the costs side by side, one thing becomes clear:
Hiring a recruitment marketer costs €5,500+ per month.
Outsourcing recruitment marketing costs €2,450 - €5000 per month.
Do you want:
More applicants with lower recruitment costs?
A full recruitment marketing department for the cost of one employee?
Instant measurable results and less reliance on job boards?
At Leadstars, we assist recruitment agencies, staffing agencies, secondment agencies, and hiring and selection agencies in reaching the right candidates faster and more efficiently.
Curious about how we can improve your recruitment process? Discover what we can do for you.