Better Talent
Better Price

Direct-hire recruiting that delivers the right people quickly, affordably, and with long-term success in mind.

Why Choose TradeUp

At TradeUp, we simplify direct-hire recruiting for every level of your organization — from entry-level roles to technical specialists and leaders. Our lean, people-first approach saves you time and money while helping you build a stable, long-term workforce. If you’re looking for a transparent and efficient way to hire, you’re in the right place.

Our Hiring Roadmap

A simple, transparent process designed to save you time, cut costs, and deliver the right people - fast

Kickoff

Understand your hiring needs

We start by learning your business: understanding your goals, culture, and what makes the perfect hire for your team.

Source

Find top talent

Our recruiters handle everything from targeted outreach to pre-screening and initial interviews, saving you hours of work.

Hire

Direct placement

You review only the top candidates. When you make the hire, they join your team directly — no temp contracts, no hidden costs.

Hiring Solutions For Every Level

Skilled Trades & Hourly Roles

Direct-hire priced like temp — built for retention

Our model gives you the long-term benefits of a full-time employee at a cost comparable to temp staffing — without higher turnover rates, buyout fees, or inconsistent performance.

Professional & Management Roles

Lean, efficient recruiting for high-impact roles

Our streamlined structure reduces overhead, allowing us to deliver engineers, specialists, and leaders at fair, below-market placement fees.

Why Direct Hire Works Better

Temp staffing fills seats — direct hire builds teams

Today’s best employees want stability — not uncertainty

Direct hire leads to:

Better retention
Lower long-term cost
Higher engagement
Stronger culture and loyalty
Employees who stay and grow

Temp staffing has its place for short-term or seasonal needs, but for most businesses, direct hire delivers stronger, more reliable long-term results.

Straightforward Pricing

We keep our rates fair by staying efficient by design. No long-term contracts. No exclusivity. No hidden fees — just simple, predictable pricing that saves you money over traditional staffing.

Placement Fee Ranges

Up to $24.99/hr: 13%

Direct hire recruiting that’s as cost-effective as temping, but built for retention and long-term success

$25/hr - $39.99/hr: 15%

Fair, consistent pricing for skilled and technical positions

$40/hr+ or Salaried: 18%

Competitive for leadership and specialized roles — no retainers, no hidden fees

Performance Based Pay Schedule

$500 basic fee due on your new hire’s first day

50% of remaining invoice due at 60 days

Final 50% due at 90 days

If your new hire leaves early:

0–29 days: no additional payment beyond the $500 fee

30–59 days: half of the 60-day invoice is due

61–89 days: half of the 90-day invoice is due

You only pay in full when your hire stays

Price Comparison

Most temp markups range 50-60% and can exceed 75% for some roles. For entry level roles up to $24.99/hr, our placement fee is just 13%. Below you will find a price comparison chart using averages.

Cost comparison
Temp Staffing
55% Average Markup
TradeUp Careers
13% Fee
Base Pay
$20/hr
$20/hr
Markup or Fee
+55% Mark Up Rate = $11/hr added to base pay
13% One-Time Fee
90-Day Cost (520 Hours)
$5,720
$5,408
Buyout After 90 Days
Often Extra
None
Employee Type
Temp
Direct Hire

Additional Services

Beyond recruiting, TradeUp offers specialized services to give you deeper insight, greater confidence, and better results with every hire.

Executive Search

For key leadership or hard-to-fill roles, our Executive Search service offers hands-on recruiting and market insight to find the right leaders quickly and confidentially.

Employer Insights

Gain data-driven insights on pay, titles, and market trends — including job description alignment — to help you attract and retain top talent.

Background & Reference Check

Every candidate we work with is screened through an initial internet and reputation review. For clients who need deeper verification, we offer formal background and reference checks — fast, compliant, and handled with care.

What Clients Say

Hear from businesses we've helped!

Trade Up Careers is my “go to” source for skilled labor. I appreciate their priority in getting me great candidates. I feel like TradeUp is just an extension of our business and has proven to be an easy partner to work with. I also appreciate their insight into the market and welcome their recommendations. I look forward to continuing our relationship for many more years!
Joanne Teegarden
HR/Safety Director, Pearl Technologies
TradeUp distinguishes itself from others in similar positions by being genuinely passionate, caring and professional. They are able to understand the needs of our organization and what we are looking for in terms of candidates and future employees’. They have a detailed understanding of the market and is able to provide our team with advise every step of the way throughout the recruitment process. TradeUp is super personable and attentive to anyone they are recruiting for and are really dedicated to sourcing for our needs. I would recommend TradeUp to any organization looking for a recruiter – they have a proven track record and are a delight to work with!
Lori St. Pierre
HR Director, Dynalec Manufacturing

Ready to Build Your Team

Let's connect and find the right talent for your business today