Salaries and costs
Recruiters in Edinburgh will share current pay rates by sub-sector, from junior content roles at £22,000 to £28,000, through mid-level producers and PR account managers at £30,000 to £42,000, and senior editors or heads of digital at £50,000 to £70,000. Freelance day rates sit near £180 to £350 for content and social, and £300 to £500 for senior video or strategy. Temp agencies quote hourly pay that often ranges from £12 to £20 for studio runners, media admins, and traffic roles. Agency costs vary by service: recruitment fees for permanent hires are often 15% to 25% of the starting salary, while executive search for heads of department and C-suite roles is above that. For temporary and contract work, expect an uplift that covers holiday pay, employer costs, and margin, with clear timesheet and PO processes to keep spend tidy.
Qualifications
Most agencies look for a blend of portfolio and training. Degrees in media, journalism, communications, or film help, though client-side experience and credits carry weight. CIPR membership supports PR roles. AV and post-production jobs may ask for Avid, Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. Social and content roles often need Google Analytics, Meta Ads, or similar platform certificates. Recruiters will check right to work, references, and, for some publishing jobs, strong copy tests.
Regional or geographic variations
Media hiring clusters around New Town, Haymarket, Leith, and Edinburgh Park, with commuter links from Fife, West Lothian, and the Borders bringing extra candidates. Publishers and policy-led comms teams near the Old Town and the government quarter hire year-round. Agencies serving national broadcasters can be close to transport hubs like Waverley and the tram line, which broadens the workforce for early call times and late finishes.
Hiring challenges
Local employers face a tight supply of multi-skilled creatives who can shoot, cut, and publish on the same day. Brand-side teams want content leads who mix newsroom speed with stakeholder management, which narrows shortlists. Studios can struggle to find schedulers and traffic managers who know both print and digital workflows. Recruitment consultants help by mapping competitors, warming passive candidates, and lining up short contract cover while the permanent search runs.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in Edinburgh
Staffing agencies cover content editors, copywriters, journalists, social media managers, videographers, producers, motion designers, PR account executives, media relations managers, brand managers, marketing analysts, traffic and studio managers, art directors, and media sales. Broadcast-linked hiring adds runners, camera ops, sound techs, and post-production coordinators. Executive search teams focus on the editor-in-chief, head of communications, creative director, and marketing director.
Key sectors or employers in the region
The job market blends publishers, broadcasters, higher education comms, fintech marketing teams, visitor economy brands, and cultural institutions. Festival season draws campaign work for the Fringe and major venues. Public sector and non-profit communications add steady demand for press officers and content leads. Games and tech firms are adding growth on the video and community fronts. Local hospitality and tourism businesses maintain a baseline of brand and social roles throughout the year.
Industry-specific training or licences
DBS checks may be required for roles that cover youth or education content. Drone work needs the right pilot credentials and insurance. Editors and producers handling sensitive stories may require awareness of media law and familiarity with IPSO. Health and safety briefings apply on set, with risk assessments logged by production managers. Recruiters will guide candidates on any short course that can raise pay rates before a contract starts.
Seasonal trends or themes
Pre-festival months drive spikes in demand for campaign managers, PRs, and video crews. Q4 brings retail and visitor campaigns, with short contracts and weekend work across content and media buying. The semester starts, lifting demand for student comms and digital engagement in universities. Temp agencies help level peaks, then switch strong temps into permanent roles when budgets open in Q1.
Market and workforce snapshots
The labour market is resilient, with steady demand across content, PR, and brand. Retention improves when employers offer hybrid work arrangements, clear career paths, and fair recruitment fees that reflect repeat hiring. Register with an agency early if you plan to scale a team for a product launch or a channel refresh. Local employers gain speed by using talent pools that cover temporary, permanent, and contract work, which keeps projects moving during approvals.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
How fast can a media recruiter fill a role in Edinburgh?
Simple temp bookings can be same day. Permanent hires often take 2 to 4 weeks from brief to offer, with notice periods on top.
Do agencies cover both creative and comms roles?
Yes. Most employment firms handle content, design, PR, and marketing. Executive search teams handle senior leadership.
What recruitment fees should we budget for a mid-level hire?
Plan for 18% to 22% of the starting salary, with volume or retained terms negotiated in advance.
Can job seekers register with more than one agency?
Yes. Candidates often register with two or three agencies to broaden interview options while keeping their availability up to date.
Do agencies support flexible and part-time media roles?
Yes. Recruitment consultants manage part-time briefs, job shares, and fixed-term contracts, with clear pay rates set at the outset.