Many experienced recruiters become so focused on building their desk that they forget to benchmark their own career.
If that sounds familiar, you could be paying what we call the loyalty tax.
Here are six signs it might be time to take a closer look at your market value.
1. Your billing has doubled, but your commission hasn't changed
You are closing bigger deals, billing more revenue and bringing more value to your business than ever before.
So why are you still working under the same commission structure you joined with years ago?
Many recruiters accept outdated commission schemes because they have become familiar with them. The reality is that what felt competitive when you joined may no longer reflect today's market.
Your earnings should grow alongside your performance.
2. You can't remember the last time you benchmarked your salary
Recruiters encourage candidates to explore the market every single day.
You tell them to understand their worth before accepting a counter offer.
You explain the importance of knowing what opportunities are available.
But when was the last time you followed your own advice?
Benchmarking your salary does not mean you are planning to leave. It simply means you understand your options.
Knowledge puts you in a stronger position, whether you stay or move.
3. New starters are joining on packages close to yours
This can be a difficult conversation to have, but it happens more often than people realise.
The recruitment market moves quickly.
As demand for experienced recruiters increases, agencies often have to offer stronger packages to attract new talent.
If your salary has only increased through small annual reviews while new hires are joining on competitive packages, there is a chance the market has moved ahead of you.
4. Your responsibilities have increased more than your pay
Think back to your first year at your current agency.
Were you mentoring junior consultants?
Leading client meetings?
Managing key accounts?
Training new starters?
Helping shape strategy?
For many experienced recruiters, the answer is no.
As your responsibilities increase, your reward should too.
Being trusted with more responsibility is a positive thing. It should also be reflected in your package.
5. You've stayed because of loyalty, not because you've explored your options
There is nothing wrong with staying at the same agency for many years.
Some recruiters build incredible careers without ever moving.
The important question is why you are staying.
Are you genuinely excited by the opportunities ahead?
Or have you simply become comfortable?
The best career decisions are informed decisions. You do not need to leave your agency, but you should know what else is available before deciding to stay.
6. You know what your candidates are worth, but not what you're worth
This is perhaps the biggest irony in recruitment.
Recruiters spend every day advising candidates on salary expectations, market trends and career opportunities.
Yet many have never had the same conversation about themselves.
You know exactly how to negotiate a candidate's offer.
You know how to identify when someone is underpaid.
The question is, could you confidently say whether you are being paid what you are worth?
Loyalty Should Be Rewarded
This article is not about encouraging recruiters to leave their jobs.
It is about encouraging recruiters to take ownership of their careers.
The best recruiters regularly benchmark the market, understand their value and make informed career decisions.
Sometimes that leads to a move.
Sometimes it reinforces that they are already in the right place.
Either outcome is a positive one because it is based on knowledge rather than assumption.
At SW6 Associates, we speak to recruiters across the industry every day. We know what the market looks like, what top performers are earning and what opportunities are available.
If you are curious about your market value, a confidential conversation could be one of the most valuable career decisions you make.
You might discover you are exactly where you should be.
Or you might discover that loyalty has been costing you more than you realised.
