Technical recruiters are in high demand. Companies are always looking for talented individuals to join their team, and they are willing to pay top dollar for the right person. As a technical recruiter, you can expect to earn a handsome salary. 

Below is a breakdown of what you can expect to make as a tech recruiter, based on experience and location.

The average salary of a technical recruiter

According to Glassdoor, the national average salary in the United States for a technical recruiter is $76,580 per year. 

Recruiters in the San Francisco Bay Area however earn an average of $94,143 per year, while those in New York City earn an average of $85,461 per year, in Houston they earn $53,564 and in Chicago $54,383 per year.

Here’s an overview of salary ranges per year for technical recruiters per location in the US (Glassdoor data):

• New York City: $95,000
• San Francisco: $92,000
• Los Angeles: $89,000
• Chicago: $81,000
• Boston: $79,000
• Washington D.C.: $78,000
• Seattle: $76,000

And this is the technical recruiter’s average salary per year per country (based on Payscale data):

• Canada: $78,000
• Australia: $75,000
• United Kingdom: $70,000
• Germany: $60,000
• France: $55,000
• India: $30,000

Salaries also vary significantly per experience level.

Here’s an overview of salary ranges per year for technical recruiter per experience level (Glassdoor data):

• Entry-level (1 - 4 years): $60,000
• Mid-level (5 - 10 years): $85,000
• Senior-level (10+ years): $110,000+

Good to note is that these are averages and the actual salary per individual ranges significantly.

You can however use these averages as a general benchmark to negotiate salary and inform your earning upside potential.

Two caveats before you lean on any of these numbers. First, the figures above were compiled from Glassdoor and Payscale when this guide was published, and recruiting pay tracks the hiring cycle closely, so treat them as a point-in-time benchmark and pull the live figure from the source itself before you walk into a negotiation. Second, salary sites do not all measure the same thing: some quote base pay only, others quote a total pay figure that folds in bonus and commission. That distinction matters more for recruiters than for most roles, because a meaningful share of recruiter earnings (agency-side especially) sits in the variable component. If two sources disagree wildly, that is usually why. Check you are comparing base with base before you conclude the market moved.

What does a technical recruiter do?

A technical recruiter is responsible for identifying, screening, and recruiting candidates for technical positions at a company. 

She or he works with hiring managers to identify the specific skills and experience required for each open position, and then uses a variety of sourcing methods (including job boards, social media, and professional networks) to find qualified candidates. 

Once potential candidates are sourced, the recruiter conducts initial screening interviews to determine whether they are a good fit for the role, and then presents a shortlist of qualified candidates to the hiring manager for further consideration.

Most technical recruiters work in-house at a company, though some work for recruiting firms that provide staffing solutions to multiple clients. 

They typically work closely with hiring managers to understand their specific needs, and may also be responsible for developing and implementing recruiting strategies designed to attract top talent. 

In addition to sourcing and screening candidates, technical recruiters may also be responsible for conducting reference checks and coordinating interviews. 

Technical recruiters typically have a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. They must also have strong communication and interpersonal skills.