If you’re spending anywhere from $50k to $500k per month on Amazon ads, PPC is a core lever for your growth. Like any big budget item, how you manage it can be the difference between serious scale and wasted spend.
Nearly 40% of top Amazon sellers use outside PPC agencies, but plenty of large brands build in-house teams or blend both. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a right setup based on how you operate, what your margins look like, and how much control you need.
Let’s break down the real costs, the tradeoffs, and how to figure out what will deliver results for your brand.
Amazon PPC Agency Pricing Models
Most Amazon-focused agencies price in one of three ways. The model that’s right for you depends on how predictable your spend is, how complex your account is, and how much oversight you want to keep in-house.
% of Ad Spend
This is the most common model. Agencies typically charge 10–20% of your monthly ad spend, which scales nicely until you’re spending six figures.
If you’re spending $100k per month, expect to pay $10k to $20k in management fees. And yes, most agencies will try to push you toward the high end unless you negotiate.
Flat Fee
Usually reserved for brands with steady budgets and clearly defined scopes. For a mid-market brand, you’ll pay anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 per month, or closer to $10k+ for enterprise-level service.
Performance-Based
Rare for large sellers, but some agencies offer a base fee plus a bonus tied to results (like ROAS improvements or revenue growth). Just know these deals are often skewed in the agency’s favor as they’re the ones providing the KPIs.
What’s Included in a Management Package
Most agencies bring their full team in early to get things running smoothly. They’ll do their diligence to make sure campaigns are set up properly and running efficiently. That typically includes:
- Keyword research
- Campaign buildouts
- Bid management and ongoing optimization
- Ad creative testing
- Weekly or monthly reporting
- Strategy calls
But here’s the catch: after the initial push, some agencies tend to “set and forget.” They launch and send reports but rarely actively engage with the account. And if they won’t walk you through their management framework or show raw performance data? That’s a red flag.
Bonus: Need help finding a proven agency partner to manage your PPC or affiliate programs? Check out Levanta’s Partner Directory.
In-House PPC Management Costs
Running PPC in-house gives you more control, but it’s not cheap. Building a team that truly understands the ins and outs of Amazon takes time, and often more budget than you might expect.
Typical Salary Costs
- PPC Manager: $70k–$120k+
- Analyst or support role: $50k–$85k
- Head of Growth: $100k–$180k
Salaries referenced from open Glassdoor job descriptions
Tools and Tech Stack
Expect to spend up to $5,000 per month on individual tools for analytics, bid automation, keyword research, and creative testing.
Training and Turnover
Training is one of the most time and resource-intensive parts of scaling a team. Hire the wrong person and it could stall growth for months.
Even when you hire well, digital roles turn over fast, 10 to 25% per year is common. And every departure costs you institutional knowledge, momentum, and campaign performance.
The Hybrid Approach for $5M+ Sellers
If you’re between $5M and $50M in revenue, there’s a reason most brands are choosing a hybrid model: it gives you strategic control while offloading the execution grind.
Modern Retail reported that brands are struggling to find experienced performance marketers which helps explain why many $10M+ sellers now blend in-house strategy with outsourced execution. This setup gives you leverage and speed without having to build a full team from scratch.
What a Typical Hybrid Structure Looks Like
An in-house lead owns strategy, sets goals, and holds the agency accountable. This could be your CMO at a smaller company or a dedicated Head of Growth. Either way, the strategy stays close to the brand, with priorities shaped by internal knowledge.
An agency partner handles day-to-day execution including bid management, campaign builds, and reporting. Since agencies specialize in this kind of work, it makes sense to let them own the hands-on tasks. The biggest cost is in the strategic layer, and if you’re keeping that in-house, you’re already saving where it matters most.
Regular syncs keep the system running. If priorities shift internally or campaign performance dips, quick communication ensures changes flow both top-down and bottom-up without any lag.
How to Choose the Right Agency or Consultant
In our experience, here are the five most important questions to ask before signing a contract:
- How many $10M+ brands do you work with?
- Can you share recent case studies in our vertical?
- Do we get access to all raw data and reporting?
- How often do you optimize bids, add negative keywords, and A/B test?
- How do you handle communication when something goes wrong?
Be on the lookout for transparency. Buzzwords and vague responses usually signal inexperience or poor process. If you’re hearing ideal outcomes instead of real-world examples or grounded projections, that’s a red flag. If their processes sound rigid or overly templated, they may not be equipped to be flexible with your needs.
Before signing, always ask to see sample reports, clarify contract terms (especially exit clauses), and confirm their tools integrate cleanly with your existing tech stack.
Need help finding a proven agency partner to manage your PPC or affiliate marketing programs? Check out Levanta’s Partner Directory.
Pros and Cons of Building a PPC Management Team
There’s no silver bullet. Each model has tradeoffs, and while your team can make any of them work, not all of them will work for you. The key is knowing what fits your current structure, then testing, asking the right questions, and moving forward with confidence.
| Model | Pros | Cons |
| Agency |
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| In-House |
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| Hybrid |
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If you’re spending more than $50k/month on Amazon ads, it’s worth pausing to evaluate what model truly supports your goals, margin structure, and internal bandwidth.
Where Do You Go From Here?
No matter which model you choose, the right internal or external partner should bring clarity, consistency, and results.
Want to compare vetted agencies or need help building your in-house strategy? Use Levanta’s Partner Directory to get matched with proven a agency to manage your affiliate or PPC programs.
