Assumptions
Start with how much senior attention the account truly needs each month. Then add support, tooling, overhead, and a scope buffer so the retainer survives real delivery.
Executive pricing · proposal-ready · static calculator
Fractional CMO Pricing Calculator
Estimate a sustainable monthly retainer, onboarding fee, and contract value for a fractional CMO engagement. Model strategy time, leadership load, channel review, support hours, scope buffer, and target margin in one view.
Price from delivery reality
Convert hours, support, and overhead into a margin-aware retainer floor.
Separate onboarding cleanly
Quote kickoff strategy work as a one-time fee instead of hiding it inside month one.
Sell the ladder
Use advisor, growth, and performance package ranges for proposal framing.
Pricing Snapshot
Recommended Retainer
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Break-even Retainer
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Suggested Onboarding Fee
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Estimated Contract Value
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Current Operating Margin
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Margin Gap to Target (pts)
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Monthly Delivery Cost
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Net Realized Hourly Rate
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WAITINGEnter assumptions to price the engagement.
| Senior Base Hours | — |
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| Buffered Senior Hours | — |
| Buffered Support Hours | — |
| Total Delivery Hours | — |
| Senior Labor Cost | — |
| Support Labor Cost | — |
| Current Operating Profit | — |
Package Ladder
Use the recommended economics to frame three proposal options instead of arguing over a single number.
| Package | Focus | Total Hours | Delivery Cost | Suggested Retainer |
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Copy-ready Summary
Drop this into an email, proposal, or Notion doc. It stays intentionally compact and decision-ready.
FAQ
How much does a fractional CMO cost?
Many engagements land somewhere between a few thousand and low five figures per month, but the real answer depends on senior hours,
meeting load, channel complexity, expected ownership, and whether support work is bundled.
Should I quote hourly or monthly?
Hourly pricing is useful for scoping, but most fractional CMO relationships are sold as monthly retainers because the buyer is purchasing continuity,
strategic context, and leadership—not just isolated tasks.
Should onboarding be billed separately?
Usually yes. Kickoff strategy, audit work, messaging alignment, and KPI setup create front-loaded effort. Separating onboarding protects the retainer from month-one margin compression.