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Original data · Fractional CMO pricing

Fractional CMO Price Index 2026

Of 49 fractional CMO providers we checked on 2026-11-09, only 13 publish their own price. Among those, the median starting retainer is $6,000 a month, the middle half of starting prices sits between $3,000 and $8,250, and published monthly prices run from $200 to $22,000. The monthly retainer is the standard model, with hourly rates, day rates and fixed projects used around it.

Buyers searching for what this role costs mostly find ranges with no source. This index does the opposite. It lists what each provider says on its own website, quoted word for word, with the link and the date we checked it, so you can see who states a price, who only describes the market, and who says nothing until you get on a call. The full table is below and the data downloads as a CSV.

The headline numbers

Pricing models in use

Monthly retainer: 11 of the 13 providers with an own price quote a monthly figure, usually tied to a share of the week (one eighth time, one day a week, 17 hours a week). Hourly: 3 publish an hourly rate, $125 to $350 an hour, mostly as the basis for the retainer or for one-off advice. Day rate: 1 marketplace publishes an average day rate. Project: 3 publish fixed project prices for audits, roadmaps or strategy packages.

MarkCMO publishes its own row: $2,500 to $50,000 a month, with most engagements at $8,000 to $15,000, month to month. It is shown first in the table and left out of every statistic on this page so the publisher does not move its own numbers.

The full index

Click a column heading to sort. Monthly low and high are filled in only where the quoted text states a monthly figure. A dot means the text does not allow one. Download everything as fractional-cmo-price-index.csv.

ProviderPrice statusPublished price textMonthly lowMonthly highHourly or daySourceChecked
MarkCMO (publisher of this index)Independent fractional CMOOwn priceMonthly retainer"$2,500 to $50,000 a month, most engagements $8,000 to $15,000"Published by MarkCMO. Excluded from the computed statistics so the publisher does not move its own numbers.$2,500$50,000·markcmo.com/fractional-cmo-cost2026-11-09
Chatter Buzz MediaAgencyOwn priceMonthly retainer by time share"Chatter Buzz fractional CMO engagements start at $6,000 per month for 1/8 time, $12,000 per month for 1/4 time, and $22,000 per month for half time, with a three-month minimum and no employment contract."$6,000$22,000·chatterbuzzmedia.com/fractional-cmo-services2026-11-09
EAV LLC MarketingSolo practiceOwn priceMonthly retainer; hourly"Fractional CMO support: advisory from $3,000/month; embedded leadership from $6,000/month."Hourly rate is for targeted advisory, stated on the same page.$3,000·$150/houreavllcmarketing.com2026-11-09
Geisheker GroupAgencyOwn priceMonthly retainer; project"Fractional CMO Leadership starts at $10,000 per month, with a 90-day minimum sprint."Also lists a one-time $10,000 Marketing Growth Audit.$10,000··geisheker.com/fractional-cmo-pricing2026-11-09
In Motion MarketingAgencyOwn priceMonthly plan"Advisory starts at $200 a month in USD: one 60-minute strategy session, a written review of your marketing each month, and hands-on help priced by the job when you need it."Same page: the Growth plan, from $2,000 a month, adds the execution.$200··inmotionmktg.com/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
Kamyar ShahSolo practiceOwn priceMonthly retainer by days per week"Kamyar Shah prices a fractional CMO by the day per week: $12,000 to $15,000 per month for one day a week and $18,000 to $22,000 for two days a week."$12,000$22,000·kamyarshah.com/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
MarketriFirmOwn priceMonthly retainer from an hourly rate"Most Marketri fractional CMO engagements run $7,500 to $20,000 per month at $350 per hour, set by the scope of the role."$7,500$20,000$350/hourmarketri.com/services/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
Orr ConsultingSolo practiceOwn priceMonthly retainer; project"Ongoing fractional CMO leadership starts at $8,000 per month, and most engagements run $12,000 to $20,000 a month."Defined projects are listed separately, from $3,500.$8,000$20,000·orr-consulting.com2026-11-09
SaaS HeroAgency (B2B SaaS)Own priceFixed monthly retainer by ad spend band"Two retainer tiers, Dedicated Campaign Manager and Full Marketing Team, scale from $1,250 to $7,000 per month depending on spend and channels managed."Retainer covers paid channel strategy and execution; one-time setup fee of $1,000 to $2,000.$1,250$7,000·saashero.net/content/transparent-pricing-fractional-cmo2026-11-09
The Marketing BlenderAgencyOwn priceProject (strategy package)"Packages for strategy range from $50,000 down to $6,000 depending on business size, revenue goals, and complexity."Project price, not monthly, so no monthly figure is computed.···themarketingblender.com/services/pricing2026-11-09
Treefrog MarketingAgencyOwn priceMonthly retainer"For example, at Treefrog, fractional CMO partnerships begin at $3,000 per month."$3,000··treefrogmarketing.com/how-much-does-fractional-cmo-cost-are-they-worth-it2026-11-09
FractionusMarketplaceMarketplace rateDay rate"The average fractional CMO in the US costs $1,344 per day, based on 120 verified rates from the Fractionus bench."Days per month are not stated, so no monthly figure is computed.··$1,344/dayfractionus.com/markets/rates/cmo2026-11-09
Go FractionalMarketplaceMarketplace rateHourly rate converted to monthly"A fractional CMO costs $8,500 to $13,600 per month at a typical 17 hours per week."Hourly band is the middle 50% of rates on its platform, stated on the same page.$8,500$13,600$125 to $200/hourgofractional.com/insights/rates/cmo2026-11-09
MarketerHireMarketplaceMarketplace rateMonthly plan"Plans start at $5,000/month."Same page shows the CMO role at $5k-$15k+/mo, so the high is open ended.$5,000$15,000·marketerhire.com/role/chief-marketing-officer2026-11-09
310 CreativeAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"a fractional CMO's services can start at just $8,000 per month"Its fractional CMO advisory page shows no price.$8,000·$200 to $300/hour310creative.com/blog/hiring-outsourced-cmo2026-11-09
Chief OutsidersNetworkMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate for firms of its type"typically these firms don't charge by the hour, but by retainer (from $1,500 to over $30,000/mo.)"Range given for executives-as-a-service firms such as itself; no own rate card.$1,500$30,000·chiefoutsiders.com/blog/fractional-cmo-cost2026-11-09
Clicks GeekAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"On the lower end, you'll find retainers starting around $3,000 per month."Same page: premium services push into the $12,000-$15,000 monthly range.$3,000$15,000$200 to $500/hourclicksgeek.com/fractional-cmo-services-pricing2026-11-09
CMOxFirm and training networkMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Rates range between $3,000 and $15,000 per month, depending on hours, industry, and project scope."Hourly band is its market estimate. Own engagement price not stated on the pages checked.$3,000$15,000$200 to $350/hourcmox.co2026-11-09
ElevarusAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Most experienced fractional CMOs in the US charge $5,000 to $25,000 a month."$5,000$25,000·elevarus.com/fractional-cmo-cost-buyer-guide2026-11-09
Fractional ChiefsNetworkMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"A fractional CMO costs $5,000-$15,000 per month on a retainer, or $150-$500 per hour"$5,000$15,000$150 to $500/hourfractionalchiefs.com/blog/fractional-cmo-cost2026-11-09
Fractional CMO PartnersFirmMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Typical fees range from $5,000 to $15,000 per month"$5,000$15,000$250 to $500/hourfractionalcmopartners.com/blogs/fractional-cmo-cost-pricing-models2026-11-09
GTM 80/20FirmMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Most fractional CMO engagements run $6,000-$20,000 per month on a retainer, depending on scope and the seniority of the operator."$6,000$20,000·gtm8020.com/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
HPZ MarketingAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Fractional CMO rates typically range from $200 to $500 per hour, with most clients investing $2,000 to $10,000 per month depending on scope, hours, and their expertise."$2,000$10,000$200 to $500/hourhpzmarketing.com/fractional-cmo-cost2026-11-09
K6 AgencyAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Hiring a fractional CMO for the first quarter can cost you around $3,500-$15,000 USD per month."$3,500$15,000$200 to $350/hourk6agency.com/fractional-cmo-cost2026-11-09
Lilach BullockSolo practice (UK)Market estimate onlyMarket estimate"a fractional CMO typically costs £3,000 to £12,000 a month in the UK, or $6,000 to $20,000 a month in the US, depending on how many days a week they work and how senior they are."US figure used.$6,000$20,000·lilachbullock.com/fractional-cmo-cost-per-month2026-11-09
Matthew DealSolo practiceMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"Fractional CMO cost typically runs $5,000-$15,000 per month, with entry engagements near $3,000."$5,000$15,000·matthewdeal.com2026-11-09
Prose MediaAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"For most B2B companies, a serious engagement lands somewhere around $5,000 to $15,000 a month, with lighter advisory work below that and more embedded interim leadership above it."$5,000$15,000·prosemedia.com/blog/fractional-cmo-cost-pricing-red-flags2026-11-09
Revenue NomadFirmMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"A fractional CMO can cost anywhere between $8,000 to $15,000 per month"$8,000$15,000·revenuenomad.com/post/fractional-cmo-cost-in-2026-what-you-should-expect-before-hiring2026-11-09
Web TonicAgencyMarket estimate onlyMarket estimate"A fractional CMO costs $5,000 to $25,000 per month on a retainer in 2026, or $200 to $500 per hour for advisory work"$5,000$25,000$200 to $500/hourwebtonic.io/blog/fractional-cmo-what-it-costs-in-20262026-11-09
Brand IgnityAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···brandignity.com/2023/10/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
Brick MarketingAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···brickmarketing.com/fractional-cmo-services2026-11-09
Business Talent GroupMarketplaceNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···businesstalentgroup.com2026-11-09
Chameleon CollectiveNetworkNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···chameleoncollective.com2026-11-09
Data-ManiaSolo practiceNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.Its homepage states a fit criterion instead: a marketing budget above $1 million a year.···data-mania.com/fractional-cmo-services2026-11-09
GrowTalMarketplaceNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.Lists a $300 Advanced Matching Service fee, not a CMO price.···growtal.com2026-11-09
InsideaAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.Publishes a growth marketing retainer from $2,000 a month, not a fractional CMO price.···insidea.com/growth-marketing/pricing2026-11-09
JG Sullivan InteractiveAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···jgsullivan.com2026-11-09
KalungiAgency (B2B SaaS)Not publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.Tiers are described by company ARR, with no price.···kalungi.com2026-11-09
Keo MarketingAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···keomarketing.com/fractional-cmo-companies-agencies-providers2026-11-09
Lifted LogicAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···liftedlogic.com2026-11-09
MaypleMarketplaceNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.Publishes channel packages, not a fractional CMO price.···mayple.com/pricing/paid-media-packages2026-11-09
NinjaPromoAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···ninjapromo.io/pricing2026-11-09
NoGoodAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···nogood.io/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
NuoptimaAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···nuoptima.com/pricing2026-11-09
o8AgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···o8.agency/cmo2026-11-09
RakaAgencyNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···rakacreative.com/digital-marketing/strategy2026-11-09
TechCXONetworkNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···techcxo.com/fractional-roles/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
ToptalMarketplaceNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···toptal.com/marketing/fractional-cmos2026-11-09
TripleDartAgency (B2B SaaS)Not publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···tripledart.com/fractional-cmo2026-11-09
UmbrexNetworkNot publishedNot publishedNo price on the pages checked.···umbrex.com2026-11-09

Methodology

How it was collected. On 2026-11-09 we fetched each provider's own website: its fractional CMO service page, its pricing page and, where it had one, its own article on fractional CMO cost. The provider list came from the sites that rank for fractional CMO searches in the US (cost, services, best companies, part-time and interim queries) and from the providers named on public best-of lists. Third-party directories and review sites were not used as sources for any price.

What counts. A row is an own price when the provider states what it charges, including a starting price. A marketplace rate is rate data a marketplace publishes from engagements on its own platform. A market estimate only row means the provider publishes a range for fractional CMOs in general but not its own fee; those rows are listed for completeness and excluded from the headline statistics. Not published means no price for fractional CMO work appeared on the pages checked, which are linked in each row.

Normalizing. Monthly low is the lowest monthly figure in the quoted text and monthly high is the highest stated monthly figure, with no rounding. Hourly, day and project prices are never converted to a monthly number unless the provider did the conversion itself. Medians and quartiles use only own price and marketplace rows. Dashes inside quoted text are shown as plain hyphens.

Limitations. This is what providers publish, not what clients pay; negotiated fees can differ. A starting price is a floor, not a typical fee. Scope differs widely: some retainers include an execution team or ad management and others buy advice only. The sample leans toward providers visible in search, and firms that keep prices private are under-represented in the statistics by design. Prices change, so each row carries its check date, and the index will be re-checked and re-dated.

Related data. For market figures that are not prices, such as CMO tenure and marketing budget as a share of revenue, see fractional CMO statistics, fact checked, which traces each number to its primary source.

What drives the price

Time. The clearest pattern in the published prices is a share of the week. Chatter Buzz prices one eighth, one quarter and half time; Kamyar Shah prices one or two days a week; Go Fractional converts a 17 hour week into a monthly figure. More time is the main reason a quote doubles.

What is bundled. Retainers that include an execution bench, paid media management or a marketing team sit in a different place from advice-only plans. The lowest figures in the index are advisory plans; the highest are half-time leadership with a team behind it.

Seniority and company stage. Several providers tie price to the client's revenue or funding stage and to the operator's track record. Minimum terms matter too: a three-month minimum or a 90-day sprint changes the real commitment even when the monthly figure looks similar.

For a full breakdown of what each budget level buys, see how much a fractional CMO costs, or price your own situation with the cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fractional CMO cost in 2026?

Among the 13 providers in this index that publish their own price, the median starting retainer is $6,000 a month and the median published top of range is $20,000 a month. Published monthly prices run from $200 for a light advisory plan to $22,000 for half-time leadership. Providers that publish a market estimate instead of their own price put the typical band at about $5,000 to $15,000 a month. MarkCMO, the publisher of this index, charges $2,500 to $50,000 a month, most engagements $8,000 to $15,000.

How many fractional CMO providers publish their prices?

Few. Of the 49 providers checked on 2026-11-09, not counting MarkCMO, 13 publish their own price or rate data from their own marketplace. Another 15 publish a market estimate for fractional CMOs in general without saying what they charge, and 21 publish no figure at all. That means 73 percent of the providers checked do not show a buyer their own price before a sales call.

What pricing models do fractional CMOs use?

A monthly retainer is the standard. 11 of the 13 providers with an own price quote a monthly figure, often tied to days or hours per week, such as one eighth time, one day a week or 17 hours a week. Hourly rates appear as a basis for the retainer or for one-off advice, from $125 to $350 an hour in this index. Day rates appear on one marketplace, and fixed project prices are used for audits, roadmaps and strategy packages.

Why do so many fractional CMO firms not publish prices?

The common reasons given are that scope varies, that the price depends on days per week and seniority, and that a call is needed to size the work. Those are real factors, but they also make comparison hard for buyers. Several firms in this index publish a general market range on a blog post while keeping their own rate off the site. This index records that difference so a buyer can see who states a price and who does not.

How was this price index collected?

Each provider's own website was fetched on 2026-11-09. The price text in the table is quoted from that page, with the source link and date. A row counts as an own price only when the provider states what it charges. Market estimates are listed but kept out of the statistics. No price was estimated or inferred, monthly figures are only filled in where the quoted text gives a monthly number, and dashes inside quotes are shown as hyphens.

Can I use or cite this data?

Yes. The index and the CSV are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license, so you can copy, chart or republish the data, including commercially, as long as you credit it. Use this attribution line: Fractional CMO Price Index 2026, MarkCMO, with a link to markcmo.com/fractional-cmo-price-index. Prices change, so check the source link in each row before relying on a single provider's figure.

Cite this data

License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0). Attribution line: Fractional CMO Price Index 2026, MarkCMO, markcmo.com/fractional-cmo-price-index. Data: CSV download, 50 rows, checked 2026-11-09.

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