Cost of hiring a recruiter in Houston-Pasadena, TX
For this job Houston-Pasadena sits between the state and national figures, with a median of $72,550 a year[1]. That is 5.3% above the Texas statewide median of $68,920, and 4.5% below the US median of $75,940. Among US areas it comes in at #157 of 521. About 18,320 recruiters work here, 22% of the Texas total.
BLS occupation 13-1071, area Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Houston-Pasadena against Texas and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena, TX | $46,570 | $72,550 | $118,820 | |
| Texas | $43,410 | $68,920 | $117,060 | |
| United States | $47,180 | $75,940 | $128,720 |
The middle half of recruiters in Houston-Pasadena earns $57,480–$94,120. The top tenth earns $118,820 or more, 2.6 times the bottom tenth, close to the US pattern of 2.7 times.
What to budget for a recruiter here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,570 | $3,881 | $22.39 | $66,529 |
| 25th percentile | $57,480 | $4,790 | $27.63 | $82,114 |
| Median | $72,550 | $6,046 | $34.88 | $103,643 |
| 75th percentile | $94,120 | $7,843 | $45.25 | $134,457 |
| 90th percentile | $118,820 | $9,902 | $57.12 | $169,743 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $15,070 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $21,570, or about $30,814 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Houston-Pasadena
At the $72,550 median, a local hire costs about $103,643 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $31,093 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for recruiters we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Houston-Pasadena
Of the 17 roles we track in Houston-Pasadena, this one ranks #4 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $99,510 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $35,350.
| Role | Median | vs recruiter | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +37.2% | 35,550 | |
| Accountant | +17.3% | 28,400 | |
| Executive Assistant | +3.2% | 7,390 | |
| Recruiter | this role | 18,320 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -7.1% | 14,480 | |
| Office Manager | -9.0% | 36,940 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -13.0% | 28,720 | |
| Paralegal | -13.5% | 7,320 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -25.4% | 3,260 | |
| Bookkeeper | -31.8% | 26,090 | |
| HR Assistant | -32.6% | 1,140 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -35.6% | 33,710 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -37.1% | 1,270 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -39.1% | 20,220 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -44.3% | 65,510 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -45.5% | 4,430 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -51.3% | 17,140 |
Other areas in Texas
Across the 32 areas of Texas with data for this job, the median runs from $46,630 in Eagle Pass to $78,650 in Midland, a gap of $32,020 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Houston-Pasadena | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | +8.4% | 580 | |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | +4.6% | 8,940 | |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | +0.5% | 7,570 | |
| Houston-Pasadena, TX | this area | 18,320 | |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | -2.5% | 29,190 | |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | -3.3% | 720 | |
| Odessa, TX | -10.3% | 290 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a recruiter in Houston-Pasadena, TX?
About $103,643 a year at the median, or $8,637 a month: $72,550 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for recruiters in Houston-Pasadena?
The median was $72,550 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $46,570, the 90th $118,820, and the middle half earned $57,480 to $94,120.
Is Houston-Pasadena cheaper than the rest of Texas for recruiters?
No, it costs more: a median of $72,550 against $68,920 statewide. Midland pays the most ($78,650) and Eagle Pass the least ($46,630).
How many recruiters work in Houston-Pasadena?
BLS counts about 18,320 in the May 2025 survey. That is 22% of the Texas total of 84,930.
Does a recruiter cost more than a marketing specialist in Houston-Pasadena?
Yes: $5,180 a year more at the median. The medians are $72,550 and $67,370.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1071: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131071.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.