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Fractional vs Full-Time Cost Calculator
Compare the true cost of hiring a full-time employee versus engaging a fractional professional. Get instant insights into potential savings, break-even points, and make data-driven hiring decisions.
Why Use This Calculator?
Make informed decisions with comprehensive cost analysis
Accurate Calculations
Our calculator includes all hidden costs: employer NI, benefits, recruitment, onboarding, and equipment expenses.
Real Savings Insights
See exactly how much you could save with a fractional approach, including break-even analysis and cost per day comparisons.
Flexible Scenarios
Choose from preset scenarios for startups, scale-ups, and enterprises, or customise every parameter to match your needs.
Instant Results
Get immediate, real-time calculations as you adjust sliders. Save, share, or download your analysis for later review.
Calculate Your Savings
Adjust the sliders below to see real-time cost comparisons
Startup
Early-stage company needing senior expertise part-time
Scale-up
Growing business requiring specialist support
Enterprise
Large organisation with complex projects
Full-Time Employee
Configure the full-time hiring costs
£80,000.00
20% (£16,000.00)
£10,000.00
£5,000.00
£2,000.00
Employer NI (13.8%)£11,040.00
Fractional Professional
Configure the fractional engagement
£800.00
2 days
12 months
£500.00
Total Working Days104 days
Cost Comparison
Side-by-side analysis of both approaches
Full-Time Employee
Total First Year£124,040.00
Monthly Cost£10,336.67
Cost per Day£477.08
Fractional Professional
Total Cost£83,636.00
Monthly Cost£6,969.67
Cost per Day£804.81
Your Savings
+£40,404.00
Savings with Fractional Approach32.6%
Break-even Analysis
At this engagement level, you would need to work 17.8 months with a fractional professional to equal the first-year cost of a full-time hire.
How to Use This Calculator
Four simple steps to understand your hiring costs
1
Choose a Preset or Start Fresh
Select a preset scenario (Startup, Scale-up, or Enterprise) that matches your company size, or configure from scratch.
2
Adjust Full-Time Costs
Set the annual salary, benefits percentage, recruitment costs, onboarding expenses, and equipment needs for a full-time role.
3
Configure Fractional Engagement
Enter the day rate, days per week, engagement length, and any setup costs for the fractional professional.
4
Review Your Results
Compare total costs, monthly expenses, and cost per day. See your savings and break-even point. Save or share your calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the cost calculator
What costs are included in the full-time calculation?
The calculator includes base salary, benefits (as a percentage of salary), employer National Insurance contributions (13.8%), recruitment costs, onboarding and training expenses, and equipment/workspace costs. All of these contribute to the true cost of a full-time hire.
How accurate is the employer NI calculation?
We use the standard UK employer National Insurance rate of 13.8% on earnings above the secondary threshold. This is accurate for most situations, though specific circumstances may vary slightly. Always consult with your accountant for precise figures.
What's included in the fractional professional costs?
The fractional cost includes the day rate multiplied by the number of working days (calculated from days per week × weeks × months), plus any one-time setup costs. Fractional professionals typically work as contractors, so there are no employer NI, benefits, or equipment costs.
Can I save my calculation for later?
Yes! Click the 'Save Calculation' button to store your inputs in your browser's local storage. You can also generate a shareable link or download a text report of your analysis.
What does the break-even analysis mean?
The break-even point shows how many months you would need to engage a fractional professional at your specified rate before the cost equals hiring a full-time employee for one year. This helps you determine the optimal engagement length.
Are fractional professionals always cheaper?
Not always. While fractional professionals often have higher day rates, you only pay for the days they work. For short-term projects or part-time needs, this is typically more cost-effective. For long-term, full-time roles, a permanent hire might be better value.
How do I determine the right day rate for a fractional role?
Fractional day rates vary by seniority, specialism, and market demand. Senior roles (CFO, CTO, CMO) typically range from £1,000-£2,500 per day. Mid-level specialists might be £600-£1,200. Check FractionalFinder listings for current market rates in your sector.
What about other costs like management time?
This calculator focuses on direct financial costs. Both full-time and fractional roles require management time, though fractional professionals often need less oversight due to their seniority and experience. Consider your specific context when evaluating total costs.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Fractional Match?
Now that you understand the cost benefits, discover top fractional talent on FractionalFinder or post your role to start receiving applications.