Have you ever wondered, “Isn’t the staffing agency’s profit just the rate they charge minus the employee’s pay?”
While it may seem simple, there’s so much more behind those numbers! Let’s take a closer look and clear up any confusion. We know the ins and outs of staffing, and we’re excited to share the real story with you.
Explore staffing agencies and staffing bill rates at Imperial Locum. Learn about fees, markups, and recruitment services for employers and job seekers.

The process of calculating staffing bill rates is not a secret, but it’s often misunderstood. We’re here to break it down in an easy, understandable way so that you can be fully informed and confident in your staffing decisions!
Beyond the Salary: Unveiling the True Cost of Labor
Staffing agencies, like any business, have additional costs that go beyond the employee’s salary.
These costs, also known as the labor burden rate, include taxes, benefits, insurance, and much more. It’s essential to understand these hidden costs so that you can see the full picture of what it takes to employ someone.
According to Joe Hadzima, Senior Lecturer at MIT, the actual cost of an employee can range from 1.25 to 1.4 times their base salary.
For instance, if an employee makes $30,000, they might actually cost an employer between $37,500 and $42,000! It’s not just about the paycheck; it’s about the whole package that keeps the employee working for you.
The Nationwide Average Profit for Health Staffing Agencies
Here’s something that might surprise you:
The American Staffing Association (ASA) found that for a health staffing agency to cover all of its expenses and still make a profit, they would need to charge a minimum bill rate of $25.76 per hour.
That’s how much it takes to meet industry standards and keep everything running smoothly, ensuring the agency can provide top-tier talent for your business. The staffing agency’s location and specialty make a difference, but this benchmark is a great place to start when evaluating staffing costs.
Breaking Down the Bill Rate: What’s Included in That Rate?
When you see a bill rate like $25.76, it’s not just the employee’s pay. That rate includes all of the essential costs that go into hiring and employing someone. These include:
- FICA (Social Security and Medicare)
- FUTA and SUTA (Unemployment Taxes)
- Workers’ Compensation (varying by state and job type)
- Mark-up (for covering labor costs and the staffing agency’s service charge)
- General & Administrative Expenses (G&A) (such as office overhead, marketing, and much more)
A staffing agency’s markup isn’t just about profit; it covers essential costs that keep operations running smoothly while ensuring top-notch service for both employees and employers. Likewise, salary structures and benefits can vary by facility.
For instance, positions at Delano Correctional Facility may come with different perks compared to those in Lancaster.
Ready to Make Health Staffing Easy? Let’s Get Started!
We’re here to help make your health staffing experience seamless, efficient, and stress-free. Whether you’re looking to fill a key position quickly or just want more information about how staffing works, we’ve got the expertise and resources to help you succeed.
How Does a Staffing Agency Make Money?

If you’re exploring staffing agencies for the first time, understanding how they make money can provide valuable insights into how they operate and benefit you as a job seeker. Knowing this helps you appreciate the role these agencies play in the job market and how they help connect you with great opportunities.
The Business Model of health Staffing Agencies
Healthcare staffing agencies help provide medical professionals to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They offer different services, including:
- Temporary staff
- Contract staff
- Per diem staff (working only when needed)
- Travel staff (who move to different locations)
- Permanent staff (hired for long-term positions)
These agencies meet the growing need for skilled medical workers and help both healthcare facilities and medical professionals. For healthcare facilities, they improve the quality of care and patient satisfaction.
For medical professionals, they offer opportunities to grow their careers and earn more money.
A healthcare staffing agency’s business plan includes:
- Executive Summary: A quick overview of the company’s mission, goals, and finances.
- Company Overview: Information about the business structure, services, and goals.
- Industry and Competitive Analysis: Research on the market, competitors, and strengths or weaknesses.
- Marketing and Operations Plans: Strategies for attracting customers and running the business smoothly.
- Management Team and Financial Plan: Information on the people in charge and the financial outlook.
Placement Fees for Permanent Positions
When recruitment agencies place candidates in permanent roles, they earn a placement fee from the employer, which is a one-time payment based on a percentage of your first-year salary. This fee is always paid by the employer, so your salary remains unchanged.
You receive the full compensation you agreed on with the employer. No hidden deductions!
Hourly Markups for Temporary and Contract Positions
For temporary staffing or contract roles, health staffing agencies make their revenue through hourly markups.
For instance, if you’re earning $20 per hour, the agency might charge the employer $30 per hour. The difference covers the agency’s services, which include administrative tasks like payroll, benefits, and ensuring your seamless experience.
The great news is that the agency’s role ensures you’re paid on time and receive the benefits you deserve.
The Role of Health Staffing Agencies
Health staffing agencies play a crucial role in connecting healthcare professionals with top-tier opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.
These agencies not only streamline the hiring process but also help healthcare workers find positions that align with their expertise, work preferences, and career goals. Whether you’re seeking a permanent hospital placement or a flexible contract in a specialized medical field, a healthcare staffing agency simplifies the job search while ensuring you receive competitive pay and benefits.
Why Staffing Agencies Use This Model
This model is designed to benefit you and the employer alike. By earning money through placement fees and hourly markups, staffing agencies are able to offer a wide range of high-value services.
From sourcing talented candidates to conducting background checks, managing payroll, and providing employee benefits, staffing agencies are here to ensure your job search is smooth, efficient, and rewarding.
What This Means for You as a Candidate
Working with a staffing agency is all about making your job search easier and more successful. Here’s how:
- You Get Paid What You Deserve: Whether you’re placed in a permanent role or working temporarily, you’ll always receive the compensation you’ve agreed to with your employer. Agencies charge employers for their services, but they don’t take anything from your pay, ensuring you’re paid what you’re worth.
- Transparency in Pay: At a reputable staffing agency, transparency is key. If you have any questions about how the agency works or how much they charge the employer, they’re always happy to share that information with you. This transparency gives you confidence and clarity throughout your job search.
- Additional Benefits to Help You Grow: Many staffing agencies offer more than just job placements—they provide professional development, career resources, and even benefits like health insurance. This is especially valuable in the healthcare sector, where medical professionals often seek job flexibility, competitive compensation, and career advancement opportunities.
Making the Most of Your Staffing Agency Partnership
Now that you understand how staffing agencies make money, you can better appreciate the value they bring to your job search. By working with an agency, you gain a dedicated partner committed to finding the best job for your skills and goals. Their success means your success, and they’re invested in seeing you thrive in the role you deserve.
Understanding Staffing Agency Fees: A Comprehensive Breakdown
When it comes to hiring talent, staffing agencies serve as vital partners in helping businesses fill critical roles.
However, the cost of these services can vary, and understanding how staffing agencies charge can help employers and job seekers navigate the recruitment process with confidence.
1. Staffing Agency Fees for Employers
Staffing agencies typically charge employers based on the type of recruitment services provided. These fees often reflect the difficulty in finding qualified candidates, the role’s complexity, and whether the placement is permanent or temporary.
Here’s a closer look at how these fees break down:
- Direct Hire Fees (Permanent Positions): For permanent placements, staffing agencies charge a percentage of the candidate’s first-year base salary. This fee typically ranges from 15% to 30%. For example, if an agency places a candidate with a salary of $100,000 and the agreed fee is 20%, the employer will pay a placement fee of $20,000.
- Contractor Fees (Temporary Positions): For contract or temporary staffing, the agency charges a markup on the contractor’s hourly wage.This markup usually ranges between 40% and 45% for short-term assignments. The markup often decreases for longer-term contracts, as the agency expects ongoing business and reduced overhead.
2. Key Factors Affecting Staffing Agency Fees
Several factors influence how much a staffing agency will charge. These include:

- Role Complexity: More specialized or senior roles require additional effort to fill. Therefore, agencies typically charge higher fees for hard-to-find talent, such as executives or technical specialists.
- Candidate Availability: If a position requires highly specialized skills and there’s a limited pool of qualified candidates, the agency will invest more resources into sourcing candidates, resulting in higher fees.
- Agency Relationship: Established long-term relationships with staffing agencies often lead to more favorable rates for repeat clients. Agencies may offer discounts or flexible terms based on the anticipated volume of future placements.
3. Common Staffing Agency Fee Structures
Different types of roles are associated with different fee structures:
- Skilled Support Roles (15-20%): For positions such as warehouse staff, technicians, and quality inspectors, staffing agencies charge a relatively lower fee since these roles are easier to fill.
- Professional and Managerial Roles (20-25%): For mid-level management, administrative staff, and IT professionals, staffing agencies typically charge a higher fee because the process of finding the right candidate is more involved.
- Executive Positions (25-30%): Senior and executive roles such as directors and vice presidents often carry the highest fees due to the search complexity and the importance of placing the right candidate in these key positions.
Suggested read: How Do You Apply for a Psychiatrist Correctional Facility at Lone?
Job Opportunities in Medical and Healthcare
As the healthcare industry continues to grow, staffing agencies are looking for talented people to fill jobs in areas like medicine, nursing, and healthcare management.
There are many opportunities for skilled workers, from nurses to medical technicians. Whether you are interested in healthcare recruitment, nursing jobs, or medical office work, staffing agencies can help connect you with hospitals and healthcare centers looking for talent.
Job seekers can use resources like resume writing services, tips for LinkedIn, and advice on improving their job applications to make their search easier.
It’s also important to stay updated on the latest trends in the healthcare job market, so you know which skills are in demand, like nursing, medical technology, and healthcare management.
For businesses, working with a staffing agency helps meet hiring needs quickly and easily.
Whether you need to fill clinical or office jobs, these agencies can find the right candidates fast.
Want to learn more?
Contact Imperial Healthcare Staffing Agency to get help with staffing solutions that fit your business needs. From background checks to payroll, they offer full support throughout the hiring process.