Fractional Rate Calculator
Calculate your optimal day rate based on your role, experience, and location.
Quick Cost Calculator
See your potential savings
Key Takeaways
- 1Fractional CFOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
- 2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, depending on experience and sector
- 3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
- 4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
- 5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods
Our rate calculator helps fractional executives benchmark their day rates against market data. Rates vary significantly based on role, seniority, location, industry, and engagement type. Use our calculator to find your optimal pricing strategy.
How Day Rates Are Determined
Fractional executive day rates are influenced by multiple factors: your specific role and expertise, years of experience, geographic location, industry sector, complexity of engagement, and whether you work inside or outside IR35.
Location Impact on Rates
London rates are typically 25-40% higher than regional cities. Cambridge and Bristol command premium rates due to tech concentration. Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds offer competitive rates with lower competition.
Experience Premium
Entry-level fractional executives (first 2 years) typically price 20-30% below market average. Established practitioners with 5+ years and strong track records can command 20-30% premium rates.
Cost Comparison
Fractional vs Full-Time Executive
Your Potential Savings
£180k+
Time Allocation
How fractional executives spend their time
UK Fractional Executive Day Rates
Compare day rates across C-suite roles
Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time
Choose the right engagement model
| Aspect | Fractional | Interim | Full-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | 1-3 days/week | 4-5 days/week | 5 days/week |
| Duration | Ongoing/flexible | 3-12 months | Permanent |
| Annual Cost | £50-150k | £150-300k | £200-400k+ |
| Best For | SMEs, startups, scale-ups | Crisis, transitions | Large enterprises |
| Flexibility | ★★★ High | ★★☆ Medium | ★☆☆ Low |
Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.
Calculate Your Day Rate
Calculate Your Potential Income
Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CFO UK average day rate: £1000.
BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.
Related Executive Roles
Complementary leadership for your organisation
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
Compare against market data for your specific role, location, and industry. Most fractional executives work with 2-4 clients, so your rate should reflect the value you bring and allow for business development time.
Related Pages
The Fractional Executive Trend
Industry data on the rise of fractional leadership
of executives who moved to fractional work report higher job satisfaction
Source: Harvard Business Review ↗Platform Stats
Founder's background
📊 Exec Market Snapshot
💰 Exec Day Rates
Based on 2026 market data for UK Exec roles.
