{
  "report": "What Executive Search Actually Costs",
  "type": "pricing",
  "url": "https://www.shortlistreport.com/article/executive-search-cost",
  "question": "How much does an executive search firm charge?",
  "engine": "ChatGPT",
  "sampleSize": 175,
  "answersQuotingPrice": 101,
  "windowStart": "2026-08-11",
  "windowEnd": "2026-09-16",
  "published": "2026-08-11",
  "updated": "2026-09-16",
  "publisher": "The Shortlist Report",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "note": "answers = sampled answers quoting this pricing model, counted once each. typical_low/high are MEDIANS of the quoted low and high bounds; spread_low/high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. Not quotes, not a rate card — a count of what an AI assistant stated when asked.",
  "models": [
    {
      "model": "percent_of_revenue",
      "label": "Percentage of revenue",
      "unit": "% of revenue or GMV",
      "answers": 98,
      "share": 56,
      "low": 25,
      "high": 35,
      "spreadLow": 15,
      "spreadHigh": 35,
      "display": "25%–35%",
      "spread": "15%–35%"
    },
    {
      "model": "setup_fee",
      "label": "Setup or onboarding fee",
      "unit": "$ one-off",
      "answers": 4,
      "share": 2.3,
      "low": 80000,
      "high": 100000,
      "spreadLow": 60000,
      "spreadHigh": 150000,
      "display": "$80,000–$100,000",
      "spread": "$60,000–$150,000"
    },
    {
      "model": "percent_of_spend",
      "label": "Percentage of ad spend",
      "unit": "% of spend",
      "answers": 3,
      "share": 1.7,
      "low": 15,
      "high": 35,
      "spreadLow": 15,
      "spreadHigh": 35,
      "display": "15%–35%",
      "spread": "15%–35%"
    }
  ]
}