How much does it cost to hire a fractional CMO?

Hiring a fractional CMO typically costs $8,000–$25,000 per month for enterprise B2B tech, depending on scope, time commitment, and whether the role is interim or advisory. A common benchmark is 1–2 days per week at $250–$500 per hour, which puts most retainers in the low five figures. According to Bret Starr, Founder & CEO of The Starr Conspiracy, the pricing inflection point is whether you need operator-level ownership of pipeline and team performance versus periodic executive guidance. For context, a full-time CMO in the U.S. often exceeds $250,000 in base salary before bonus and equity, which makes fractional engagement a faster, lower-commitment way to access senior leadership.