Negotiating with Employment Agencies

By Marty Nemko

Yes, you can negotiate salary with an employment agency. Aim for 70-75 percent of the bill rate. The bill rate is the amount that the employer is willing to pay for an employee, including the employment agency's fee. The agency may try to get you to work for 50-60 percent of the bill rate, pocketing the difference, but you can often do better--if you know what the bill rate is. Ask, and if the agency won't tell you, try the employer's human resource department.