Fractional CMO Salary Overview
Fractional CMO salary in the UK varies based on experience, specialisation, location, and the types of clients you work with. Unlike traditional full-time CMO roles with annual salaries of £100,000-£180,000, fractional CMOs charge day rates—typically £700 to £1,400 per day in 2025.
The fractional CMO UK salary model often delivers higher total compensation than full-time equivalents. A fractional CMO working with 2-3 clients at 2 days each can earn £150,000-£200,000 annually while maintaining flexibility and variety that full-time roles don't offer.
Fractional CMO Day Rates by Experience
| Level | Day Rate | Annual (Est.) | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level Fractional CMO | £600-£800/day | £90k-£125k | 10-12 years |
| Mid-level Fractional CMO | £800-£1,100/day | £125k-£175k | 12-18 years |
| Senior Fractional CMO | £1,100-£1,400/day | £175k-£220k | 18+ years |
*Annual estimates based on 155 billable days per year
Fractional CMO Salary by Location
| Location | Day Rate Range | vs Average |
|---|---|---|
| London (Shoreditch/Tech City) | £900-£1,400/day | +20% |
| London (City/Canary Wharf) | £850-£1,200/day | +15% |
| Manchester | £700-£1,000/day | Base |
| Birmingham | £650-£950/day | -5% |
| Edinburgh | £700-£1,000/day | Base |
| Bristol | £700-£1,000/day | Base |
| Remote UK | £650-£950/day | -10% |
Fractional CMO Rates by Industry
| Industry | Day Rate Range | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| B2B SaaS | £1,000-£1,400/day | Very High |
| DTC / E-commerce | £900-£1,300/day | Very High |
| FinTech | £900-£1,250/day | High |
| HealthTech / MedTech | £850-£1,150/day | High |
| Marketplaces | £850-£1,200/day | High |
| Professional Services | £700-£1,000/day | Medium |
| Non-profit / Social Enterprise | £600-£850/day | Low |
What Affects Fractional CMO Salary?
Several factors influence fractional CMO earnings:
- B2B vs B2C experience - B2B SaaS expertise commands highest rates due to demand
- Track record - Proven results (pipeline growth, CAC reduction) add 15-25% premium
- Industry specialisation - Deep vertical expertise (FinTech, HealthTech) pays more
- Channel expertise - Performance marketing, PLG, or brand specialists earn premium rates
- Team size managed - Experience scaling teams adds to your value proposition
Fractional CMO vs Full-Time CMO Salary
A full-time CMO at a Series A/B startup typically earns £120,000-£160,000 plus equity. A fractional CMO earning £1,000/day for 150 days achieves £150,000—comparable cash with more flexibility. The trade-off is equity: full-time roles often include meaningful stock options that fractional arrangements typically don't.
However, fractional CMOs can mitigate this by negotiating advisory equity or working with multiple companies, diversifying their portfolio exposure while maintaining higher cash compensation.