How much does a fractional CMO cost?
Transparent pricing. No contracts. Month-to-month. Your budget goes to execution — not project managers, account coordinators, or office space.
Fractional CMO vs. agency vs. full-time hire.
| Fractional CMO | Agency | Full-Time Hire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,500 - $4,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 | $10,000 - $21,000 |
| Annual cost | $18,000 - $48,000 | $60,000 - $180,000 | $120,000 - $250,000+ |
| Who does the work | The senior strategist | Junior staff, managed by account exec | One person (may need additional team) |
| Time to start | ~1 week | 2-4 weeks onboarding | 3-6 months to hire + 3 months ramp |
| Contract | Month-to-month | 6-12 month minimum typical | At-will employment |
| Channels covered | SEO, ads, automation, web, analytics | Usually 1-2 channels per engagement | Depends on individual skill set |
| Overhead | Zero — you pay for execution | 40-60% goes to overhead | Benefits, equipment, management |
Transparent pricing. Every engagement starts free.
Zero overhead means your budget goes to execution, not coordination. No project managers, no account coordinators. The strategist does the work.
Build a real digital foundation.
Scale across channels.
Full partnership. Performance-aligned.
Comprehensive site health report: SEO, performance, security, accessibility, and compliance. Delivered in 24 hours.
Hourly — $100/hr
Ad-hoc consulting, audits, or overflow work. No minimum commitment.
Revenue Share — 10%
Pay 10% of newly generated revenue. Scale-tier clients. Skin in the game.
Pricing questions.
How much does a fractional CMO typically charge?+
Industry-wide, fractional CMO rates range from $1,500 to $10,000+ per month depending on scope and seniority. At By Callan, retainers start at $1,500/month for 15 hours. The Growth tier at $2,500/month is the most popular — it covers multi-channel campaigns, automation, and bi-weekly strategy calls.
Is a fractional CMO worth the investment?+
For businesses doing $250K-$5M in revenue, a fractional CMO is typically 3-5x more cost-effective than an agency and 70-80% cheaper than a full-time hire — while delivering comparable strategic output. The ROI depends on execution, but the math strongly favors fractional for businesses in this range.
What's included in each pricing tier?+
Every tier includes strategy, execution, and reporting. Starter ($1,500/mo) covers 15 hours and focuses on building your digital foundation. Growth ($2,500/mo) covers 30 hours across multiple channels. Scale ($4,000+/mo) is a full partnership with 50+ hours, custom automation, and an optional revenue share model.
Are there any long-term contracts?+
No. Every engagement is month-to-month. If I'm not delivering results, you should leave. That's what keeps me accountable and ensures you're only paying for value.
Do you offer one-time projects?+
Yes. The $97 site audit is a comprehensive one-time assessment covering SEO, security, performance, and compliance — with a 30-minute walkthrough call. Hourly consulting is available at $100/hour for ad-hoc needs.
What if I need more hours than my tier includes?+
Additional hours are billed at $100/hour, or you can upgrade to the next tier. Most clients start at Starter and move to Growth within 2-3 months as they see results.
Every engagement starts free.
30-minute strategy call. No pitch, no obligation. I'll review your current marketing and tell you honestly whether working together makes sense.
Book a Free Strategy Call