Is a 220% Markup from Staffing Agencies Normal?

Ha, I feel you! Back when I was freelancing full-time, a company was charging clients way more than I made. It's a common story! If you have other clients, consider focusing on them and seeing if you can go fully independent.

To be honest, if you think that markup is unbearable, reach out to the client and offer your services directly. Just know that you might risk losing the agency as they might prefer to rotate freelancers that stick with them.

That markup isn't too unusual for staffing agencies. Businesses typically need to make a profit, so they charge more than what they pay you to cover their expenses and make money. It's quite common for them to charge you at least double your cost to stay afloat.

If you're not happy with the markup, you could consider dropping the agency. It might be worth reaching out to your client directly to see if they'd be interested in hiring you directly at a rate that benefits you both. They may appreciate the opportunity to save on fees!

Honestly, that's just how it goes. I started my own agency after realizing that agencies do work on this profit model. If the agency isn’t delivering value to you, it might be time to explore other options. A fair market is one where everyone gets paid appropriately!