The cost of job postings varies significantly depending on the platform, duration, and geographic reach. On average, a single job listing on a major site like Indeed or LinkedIn can range from $200 to $500 per month for a standard promoted post, while niche industry boards might charge between $100 and $300. For a comprehensive recruitment campaign including multiple channels, you’re looking at $1,500 to $5,000 per hire when factoring in additional features like resume database access, employer branding boosts, and premium visibility.
Let’s break down the key factors that drive cost:
- Platform choice: General boards (e.g., Monster, CareerBuilder) cost less per listing but may attract lower-quality candidates. Specialized platforms (e.g., Dice for tech, Behance for design) charge a premium but offer targeted talent pools.
- Location and competition: Posting for a role in a high-cost, competitive market like New York or San Francisco typically requires a larger budget – often 30–50% more than in smaller cities – to stand out.
- Add-ons: Sponsored or featured listings, which appear at the top of search results, can double the base price. Many recruiters also pay for “boosting” during the first week to maximize visibility.
Below is a quick reference table showing average costs across common platforms (based on 2025–2026 industry data):
| Platform | Basic Listing (30 days) | Featured/Sponsored (30 days) | Notes |
|---|
| Indeed | $200 – $300 | $350 – $600 | Pay-per-click option also available; total cost varies by clicks |
| LinkedIn | $300 – $500 | $500 – $800 | Includes recruiter seat and AI matching |
| Glassdoor | $150 – $250 | $250 – $400 | Lower cost but smaller candidate pool |
| Monster | $250 – $350 | $400 – $550 | Often bundled with resume search credits |
| CareerBuilder | $200 – $400 | $400 – $700 | Tiered packages based on industry |
Keep in mind that these are just the direct advertising costs. The total cost-per-hire includes additional expenses like applicant tracking system fees, recruiter hours, and background checks – which can push the figure to $4,000–$10,000 for a mid-level professional role. To stay within budget, many companies run a pilot test on one or two platforms, measure the cost-per-qualified-application, and then double down on the best performers.
