What it costs
Our prices, in plain numbers.
Most staffing firms won't tell you what they charge until you're on a sales call. Here's ours. Last updated October 2026.
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Direct hire, 1 hire | 25% of first-year base salary | Due 30 days after start; 90-day free replacement |
| Direct hire, 2–4 hires in 12 months | 22% | Applies to every hire in the period |
| Direct hire, 5+ hires in 12 months | 20% | Applies to every hire in the period |
| Contract | Worker's hourly pay + 45% | Covers payroll taxes, workers' comp, insurance and our margin |
| Contract, 3+ Madrone contractors at once | Worker's hourly pay + 40% | |
| Contract-to-hire conversion | 20% of salary, minus 1/13 for each full week worked | Free after 13 weeks |
| Ending a contract | Nothing | One week's notice |
Example: a direct hire
A data engineer at a $155,000 salary costs $38,750 as your only hire this year, or $31,000 if they're your fifth.
Example: contract-to-hire
A contractor you convert after 8 full weeks on a $100,000 salary: 20% is $20,000, minus 8/13 of that, so the conversion fee is about $7,690. Wait until week 13 and it's zero. We only put forward people who want the permanent job, and we tell them the terms up front.
The 90-day guarantee
If a direct hire doesn't work out in 90 days, we find the next one free.
- Covers: every direct hire who resigns, or whom you let go for performance or conduct, within 90 days of their start date.
- What you get: a full new search at no fee.
- What it doesn't cover: layoffs, restructuring, or a role that changes substantially after the hire.
The full terms are in our client agreement, written in the same plain English.
What changes a quote
Night and weekend shifts, on-call coverage, security clearances and relocation. We name the number before you agree to anything.
How contract staffing works
Contractors work your hours and use your tools. Madrone is their employer: we handle payroll, taxes, workers' comp and insurance, and you get one invoice. Contract staffing is a good fit for migrations, AI and Copilot rollouts, ERP upgrades, security remediation, leave coverage and busy seasons.
Pricing questions
How much does Madrone charge for a direct hire?
25% of first-year base salary for one hire, 22% if you make 2 to 4 hires with us in 12 months, and 20% for 5 or more. The fee is due 30 days after the start date.
What is Madrone's contract markup?
The worker's hourly pay plus 45%, or plus 40% when you have three or more Madrone contractors at once. The markup covers payroll taxes, workers' comp, insurance and our margin.
What does it cost to convert a contractor to a full-time hire?
20% of their salary, minus 1/13 for each full week they've worked for you. After 13 weeks, conversion is free.
What does the 90-day guarantee cover?
If a direct hire resigns or is let go for performance or conduct within 90 days of starting, we run a new search at no fee.