How Much Does LinkedIn Premium Cost? A Complete Breakdown

LinkedIn has become the go-to hub for professionals—whether you’re job hunting, networking, or scaling a business, it has tools to help you win. One of its most talked-about tools? LinkedIn Premium is a paid upgrade that unlocks perks the free version doesn’t offer.

But here’s the big question: How much does LinkedIn Premium cost? Let’s cut through the noise and break down the pricing, plans, and real-world value so you can decide if it’s right for you.

What Exactly is LinkedIn Premium?

Think of LinkedIn Premium as a VIP pass for your career or business goals. It’s a subscription service that gives you features like:

✔ Seeing who’s viewed your profile (yes, really)
✔ Messaging strangers without connecting first
✔ Getting insider job-hunting tools

It’s for people who want to level up their LinkedIn game.

LinkedIn Premium Plans & Pricing: No Fluff, Just Facts

LinkedIn offers four main Premium plans, each targeting different needs. Prices vary based on whether you pay monthly or yearly. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty:

1. LinkedIn Premium Career: For Job Seekers

🗣 “Help me land my dream job!”

• Annual cost: $239.88 ($29.99/month if you pay monthly)

What you get:
✔️ Full details on who’s viewed your profile (no more mystery lurkers)
✔️ Salary insights for job postings (so you know what to negotiate)
✔️ 5 InMail messages/month to message recruiters directly (no “Connect” button needed)
✔️ Free access to LinkedIn Learning courses (upskill while you job hunt)

2. LinkedIn Premium Business: For Network Builders

🗣 “I need to grow my business connections!”

• Annual cost: $575.88 ($59.99/month)

What you get:
✔️ Everything in Premium Career
✔️ Advanced search filters (find decision-makers, not just random profiles)
✔️ Business analytics to spy on your competitors’ followers (in a totally legal way)

3. LinkedIn Sales Navigator Professional: For Sales Pros

🗣 “I’m here to close deals and crush quotas.”

• Annual cost: $779.88 ($79.99/month)

What you get:
✔️ Lead recommendations (like a dating app, but for potential clients)
✔️ Real-time sales alerts (know when a prospect gets promoted or posts a need)
✔️ CRM integrations (sync with tools like Salesforce so you’re not juggling spreadsheets)

4. LinkedIn Recruiter Lite: For Hiring Teams

🗣 “I need to find unicorn candidates ASAP.”

• Annual cost: $1,999.99 ($199.95/month)

What you get:
✔️ Access to LinkedIn’s full candidate database (no more guessing games)
✔️ 30 InMail messages/month (slide into candidates’ DMs like a pro)
✔️ Advanced filters to sort by skills, location, or even years of experience

Is LinkedIn Premium Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?

Okay, let’s get real. The LinkedIn Premium annual cost isn’t pocket change. Here’s how to decide if it’s worth it:

Who Should Buy It?

✅ Job seekers – If you’re applying to roles daily, Premium Career’s salary insights and InMail credits can give you an edge.
✅ Entrepreneurs/Business owners – Premium Business helps you find clients or partners faster.
✅ Salespeople – Sales Navigator pays for itself if you land even one extra deal a year.
✅ Recruiters – Recruiter Lite saves hours of candidate sourcing.

Who Should Skip It?

❌ Casual users who just update their profile once a year.
❌ People are happy with LinkedIn’s free features (you do you!).

3 Hacks to Save on LinkedIn Premium

1. Go Annual, Not Monthly

Paying yearly saves you 20-30%. For example, Premium Career drops from $360/year (monthly) to $240/year. That’s $120 back in your pocket!

2. Hunt for Discounts

LinkedIn often runs promos, especially around holidays or for new users. Check their homepage or your email for coupons.

3. Start with a Free Trial

Test-drive Premium for 1 month free. Cancel anytime if it’s not your vibe.

The Bottom Line

LinkedIn Premium isn’t a magic bullet, but it can be a game-changer if you’re serious about your goals.

For job seekers, the ability to see who’s viewed your profile or message hiring managers directly can mean the difference between getting ignored and landing an interview.

For sales teams, the lead-tracking tools are pure gold.

But here’s the truth: If you’re not using LinkedIn regularly, Premium’s perks won’t magically fix that. It’s like buying a gym membership and never going—you’re just wasting money.

Final Tip:

✅ Start with a free trial
✅ Pick the plan that matches your goals
✅ Track how much time or money it saves you

If it pays off, great! If not, no shame in sticking with the free version.