The recruiting landscape is rapidly evolving, with 2025 already marked by a shift toward data-driven hiring, AI-powered recruitment tools, and a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Consequently, as competition for top talent intensifies—particularly in tech, engineering, and business—companies face new challenges. Furthermore, from the ongoing shortage of skilled professionals to the complexities of remote and hybrid work, employers are under pressure to adapt their hiring strategies. In fact, time-to-hire has increased to an average of 43 days, according to the Global Talent Climate Report.
Therefore, in this blog, we’ll explore the top recruiting agencies in the US for 2025, highlighting those that excel in sourcing talent for tech, engineering, and business roles, and how they can help companies navigate the evolving hiring landscape.
Why Choosing the Best Recruitment Agency Matters
Clearly, hiring the right talent is a crucial driver of a company’s success. Whether you’re a tech startup or a large corporation, partnering with the best recruiting agency can save time, reduce hiring costs, and ensure you have access to the most qualified candidates. Moreover, in 2025, agencies are going beyond traditional models, offering more specialized services, advanced technology solutions, and deeper industry expertise.
When choosing a recruiting agency, it’s important to consider:
✅ Specialization: Does the agency focus on your industry, such as tech, engineering, or sales?
✅ Service Quality: Does the agency take a hands-on, personalized approach?
✅ Innovation: Does the agency use advanced tools for sourcing, vetting, and matching candidates?
✅ Client Feedback: What do other companies say about the agency’s success rate and overall experience?
With these factors in mind, let’s explore some of the top recruiting agencies in the US for 2025:
- Robert Half
- Kelly Services
- CareerBee
- TEKsystems
- Korn Ferry (formerly Lucas Group)
1. Robert Half – Best for Comprehensive Business Recruitment
Robert Half remains one of the most well-known recruiting agencies in the US, consistently ranking as a top performer in business recruitment. Established in 1948, the agency has evolved to meet modern demands and boasts strong expertise in areas like accounting, finance, administration, and marketing.
Why Robert Half Stands Out in 2025:
- Specialization in Business Roles: Ideal for mid-level managers, administrative staff, or finance professionals.
- Temporary and Permanent Staffing: Offers a variety of staffing solutions, from temporary to full-time placements.
- Wide Reach: With offices across the US, Robert Half’s extensive network makes it easier to find qualified candidates.
While Robert Half excels in business roles, its large size can sometimes limit the personalized, boutique experience that some companies need, especially for specialized roles in tech and engineering.
- 💰 Pricing Model: Robert Half charges around 175% of an employee’s pay for temporary hires, covering compensation, benefits, and fees. For example, a $19.50/hour worker would cost about $34.25/hour. If hired full-time, a recruitment fee (around 33% of the first-year salary) applies. Although fees can be higher than some competitors, Robert Half’s vast talent pool often reduces overall costs by ensuring a faster, more accurate placement. For exact pricing, it’s best to contact them directly.
- 🚀 Case Study: A global paper manufacturer hired Robert Half to find a Mandarin-speaking CFO for its U.S. operations and a $100M investment. In 62 days, the firm identified a candidate with both industry and international accounting expertise, who now leads the company’s financial strategy. As a result, the new CFO will help the mill produce 300,000 tons of paper annually, positively impacting the regional economy.
2. Kelly Services – Best for Engineering and Technical Roles
Kelly Services is a global staffing giant with a stellar reputation in engineering and technical sectors. In 2025, the agency continues to help companies find skilled engineers, project managers, and technical specialists.
Key Advantages of Kelly Services in 2025:
- Focus on Engineering and Tech Talent: Deep expertise in sourcing specialized engineering positions, including mechanical, civil, and electrical roles.
- Large Candidate Pool: Massive database covering a diverse range of highly skilled candidates.
- Flexible Solutions: From contract-based roles to full-time positions, Kelly tailors hiring solutions to specific client needs.
Kelly Services is often the go-to for large corporations needing a steady pipeline of technical talent, although smaller businesses may find its size less conducive to highly personalized service.
- 💰 Cost Structure: Kelly Services typically charges a 50–75% hourly markup for temporary staffing, a 20–30% fee for permanent hires (based on first-year salary), and a conversion fee for temp-to-hire. Because these fees vary by industry, role, and location, contacting Kelly directly is advised.
- 🚀 Case Study: A health insurance company needed over 30 finance professionals to solve inventory, quality, and productivity issues during a membership system conversion. Kelly Services recruited both full-time and temporary staff, filling all roles within two weeks. As a result, the company significantly reduced inventory, achieved 100% quality, and extended the project by six months due to the success of the new hires.
3. CareerBee – Best Boutique Agency for Tech, Engineering, and Business Roles
CareerBee offers a boutique approach, delivering highly specialized and personalized services. Headquartered in Germany, their value proposition is: “Our German-engineered recruiting strategy ensures precise matches, utilizing local expertise to meet the distinct needs of American companies.” Making CareerBee one of the best specialised recruitment agencies in the US and Germany.
How CareerBee Excels in 2025:
- Boutique, Hands-On Approach: Provides a tailored experience with thorough skill and culture-fit vetting.
- Expertise in Key Sectors: Specializes in tech, engineering, and business sales roles.
- Dedicated Recruiters: Clients work with a single expert who fully understands their business goals.
- Premium Service Quality: From initial consultation to post-placement follow-up, the focus is on seamless, high-quality recruitment.
- 💰 Pricing Model: CareerBee typically charges a 20–25% placement fee based on the candidate’s first-year salary. However, the agency is flexible and may offer different models depending on the position and industry. For detailed pricing and tailored options, reaching out to CareerBee directly is recommended.
- 🚀 Case Study: A leading industrial lubricants company struggled to find an Application & Service Engineer with a niche skill set. After unsuccessful attempts with multiple agencies, they used a hybrid search strategy—screening 10,200 profiles and running targeted social media campaigns. Five candidates were shortlisted, with three moving on to in-house interviews. The top-choice candidate was hired and recognized by the leadership team as a high-potential employee.
4. TEKsystems – Best for Tech Recruiting
TEKsystems is a powerhouse in tech recruiting, known for sourcing top-tier developers, data engineers, and IT specialists.
Why TEKsystems Shines in 2025:
- Tech-Exclusive Focus: Specializes in technology recruitment, ideal for filling highly specialized roles.
- Innovative Recruitment Methods: Uses data-driven sourcing for software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics roles.
- Partnership Approach: Aligns closely with companies’ long-term business goals for a strategic recruitment partnership.
Because TEKsystems focuses heavily on tech, it may not be the best choice for companies looking to fill roles in business or sales.
- 💰 Service fees: TEKsystems typically has an hourly markup of 30–50% for contract staffing, covering wages, benefits, and fees. They also charge a 20–30% placement fee for direct hires. Project-based services may use a fixed or negotiated cost. Contact TEKsystems for customized pricing.
- 🚀 Case Study: A healthcare provider needed specialized IT professionals for an EHR system rollout. TEKsystems leveraged its proprietary talent pipelines and accelerated vetting to fill critical roles ahead of schedule, maintaining high retention and ensuring a smooth implementation.
5. Korn Ferry (formerly Lucas Group) – Best for Executive and Leadership Roles
For high-level leadership and executive positions, Korn Ferry—having acquired Lucas Group—is a respected name in executive search. The firm places C-level executives and senior leaders across various industries, including engineering, manufacturing, and technology.
Key Advantages of Korn Ferry (formerly Lucas Group):
- Executive Search Expertise: Ideal for companies seeking experienced managers, directors, and C-suite executives.
- Specialized Recruiters: Each recruiter focuses on a specific industry, offering deep insights into leadership requirements.
- Nationwide and Global Reach: With offices throughout the U.S. (and a global presence), Korn Ferry provides access to an extensive network of executive talent.
While Korn Ferry specializes in executive-level recruitment, they also offer broader talent and organizational consulting services. However, for strictly mid-level or entry-level hiring needs, companies may want to consider an alternative focused on volume or more generalized placements.
- 💰 Cost Structure: Korn Ferry typically operates on a retained model for executive searches, involving upfront fees and milestone payments. Historically, Lucas Group used a contingency fee of 20–35% of a candidate’s first-year salary for certain placements. Exact fees and terms may vary under Korn Ferry’s integrated approach, so contacting them directly for a customized quote is advised.
Conclusion: The best recruitment agencies in the US
Ultimately, choosing the right recruiting agency can mean the difference between quickly hiring top talent and facing long, costly vacancies. Each agency featured here excels in different areas:
- Robert Half: Comprehensive business roles
- Kelly Services: Engineering and technical talent
- CareerBee: Boutique expertise in tech, engineering, and business roles
- TEKsystems: Specialized tech recruiting
- Korn Ferry: Executive and Leadership Roles
If you’re seeking a recruitment partner that combines industry expertise, personalized service, and a hands-on approach, CareerBee.io/us offers a tailored experience for tech, engineering, and business recruitment. Every hire matters, and CareerBee works tirelessly to ensure companies find the best talent for their growth.
Ready to hire top tech, engineering, or business talent in 2025?
Contact us today and find the perfect candidates to propel your business forward.
