The recruitment fee model changes how much you pay when a salary changes. Compare the total fee, the payment timing and the work included—not just the headline percentage or a “success-based” label.
Understand the two models
A salary-percentage fee is calculated using a percentage and the compensation basis defined in the agreement. That basis might be salary alone or a broader amount, so check it. A fixed fee is a stated amount for an agreed scope. It can make budgeting easier because it does not rise automatically with salary.
Neither structure proves service quality. An employer with an effective internal recruiter and bilingual assessment capability may not need an external search for every role. A highly specialised or executive search may need a different scope from routine recruitment.
MS2’s published fees
Non-management
$5,799 CAD
$799 non-refundable starting fee plus a $5,000 success fee when a hire is made.
Management
$9,799 CAD
$799 non-refundable starting fee plus a $9,000 success fee when a hire is made.
These are per-role recruitment fees, not employee salaries. The published pricing includes a 90-day placement assurance period; review the agreement for eligibility, conditions and remedies rather than assuming an unconditional refund. Fees shown here exclude applicable tax. Review MS2’s current pricing and terms.
See the difference at example salaries
The 20% and 25% rates below are illustrative assumptions, not verified competitor quotes or a claim about every agency’s pricing. The comparison uses annual base salary only and assumes comparable recruitment scope.
| Example hire | Assumed percentage fee | MS2 fee | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 non-management salary | 20% = $12,000 | $5,799 | $6,201 / 51.7% |
| $80,000 non-management salary | 25% = $20,000 | $5,799 | $14,201 / 71.0% |
| $100,000 management salary | 25% = $25,000 | $9,799 | $15,201 / 60.8% |
Savings equals the assumed percentage fee minus the MS2 fee. The percentage saving uses the assumed agency fee as its denominator. These examples compare recruitment fees only; they do not claim equivalent service or measure the total cost of hiring.
Know when a fixed fee is lower
At an assumed 20% fee, the $5,799 non-management option breaks even at a $28,995 base salary. At 25%, it breaks even at $23,196. For the $9,799 management option, the corresponding salaries are $48,995 and $39,196.
Above those salaries, MS2’s listed fee is lower than the corresponding assumed percentage fee. Below them, it is higher. This is arithmetic, not a market-rate finding. Obtain a written quote and compare actual scope before choosing a provider.
Ask what the fee includes
- Who sources applicants and assesses French and English?
- Which role-specific competencies are screened before the shortlist?
- What costs are payable if you do not hire?
- What triggers the success fee and when is payment due?
- What happens if the placement ends during the assurance period?
- Which exclusions, replacement conditions and ownership terms apply?
MS2’s starting fee means “success-based” does not mean nothing is payable before a hire. That distinction belongs in the budget. Equally, an agency with no starting payment may charge a higher successful-placement fee; compare both the no-hire and successful-hire scenarios.
Get a clearer recruitment budget
MS2 combines published fixed fees with bilingual and role-specific screening. For employers comparing a larger salary-percentage quote, the concrete advantage can be a lower recruitment fee and a clearer budget while keeping assessment focused on the job.
Published · 3 min read
