Pricing Inquiry Response Scripts for Staffing Agencies
Pricing calls to a staffing agency move fast—clients often ask “How much?” because they have an urgent opening and they’re calling 2–5 firms at once. The scripts below help you quote clearly (without boxing yourself in), qualify the role, and keep speed high so you win the job and submit candidates first.
Standard “How much do you charge?” (temp staffing)
Use when a new client calls and asks for your temp markup before explaining the role.
“We price temp staffing as an hourly bill rate based on the worker’s pay rate plus a markup. Most of our clients are in the 20% to 50% markup range—lower for steady, planned roles and higher for urgent, short-notice coverage. If I ask you 4 quick questions, I can give you a tighter range in about a minute: job title, shift, location, and how soon you need someone on site. What role are you trying to fill today?”
Tips for this scenario
- -Say “bill rate” and “pay rate” out loud—clients in staffing expect that language and it prevents confusion.
- -Ask “how soon do you need boots on the ground?”—urgency is the biggest driver of where you land in the 20–50% range.
- -If they want a number instantly, give a range and move straight into intake so you can submit candidates fast.