Despite some opinions: marketing isn’t always cheap, and with companies everywhere tightening budgets thanks to current events, wasting money isn’t an option and therefore every dollar has to work harder than ever (think Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner).

The big question isn’t whether to invest, it’s how to invest without getting burned? Hiring a single resource? Costly and limited. A full agency? Expensive, bloated, and not always aligned to your goals. The smarter move (don’t call us biased)? Fractional Executives where expertise delivers senior-level strategy and results without the overhead.

Put these numbers to the test, we dare you… and keep in mind, they’re conservative national averages — not the pricier metro rates you may be paying.

Single In-House Marketing Resource

Hiring one in-house marketer sounds simple enough, but the costs are far beyond the base (no treble).

Salary: Mid-Level Marketing Resource – $90k–$120k / Entry Level – $45k-$60k
Benefits & Taxes: Add 25%–30% (healthcare, retirement, and taxes)
Other Costs: Training & development, software, licenses, and office space

💥 Grand Total: By the time everything is added up, the true annual cost of a single marketing hire is often Mid-Level – $110,000–$130,000 / Entry – $50,000-$65,000 ***(Hangover days, coffee runs & Happy Hours not included)

The Cost of an In-House Marketing Team

With scaling up to a team, even a lean-and-mean size, as goes the expense…quickly:

Team Roles: CMO, and two entry-level marketers
Combined Salaries: $250k–$300k/year
Benefits & Overhead: Add 30%–40%
Tools & Training: Marketing automation, analytics platforms, other tools – $25k-$50k/year

💥 Grand Total: Suddenly, the true cost of an in-house marketing team is closer to $350,000–$400,000 annually. Yes, you get more capability, but you also take on recruiting, turnover risk, and management complexity.

The Cost of a Marketing Agency

Agencies bring expertise and scalability, but like magicians, “now you see me, now you don’t” — POOF — hidden fees.  Oh, and did we mention that they come with a price tag.

Monthly Retainers: $15k–$25k/month
Annualized Cost: $180k–$300k/year
Additional Costs: Add 10%-20% (Ad spend management, creative production, change orders)

💥 Grand Total: The true cost of an agency can exceed $300,000 annually. Agencies offer experience across many channels and industries, but they can also be spread thin, give vanilla or cookie-cutter ideas, and your company may not always get senior-level attention. And there’s nothing worse than having to fire your agency because they just don’t understand your business.

The Fractional Executive Package (Joseph Rhodes Approach)

Now compare that with a fractional marketing solution, where you get senior-level resources only when you need them.

Cost: $125/hour x 10 hours/week = $65K/year
Other Costs: None (Packaged team of fractional executive and program manager without additional fees, benefit packages, or training & development costs). Simple, with a dial-up or dial-down model you control.

💥 Grand Total: No surprises, just flat rate and ownership of hours and projects as needed – $65,000

💸 Output: “But Rhodes, that’s not apples-to-apples!” you exclaim! True, but we knew you’d catch that (and if you didn’t, just smile and nod). The kicker? In just 10 hours a week, our output outpaces an entry-level hire, thanks to years of experience and efficiency. We produce results, not just work. We’ve already delivered: targeted campaigns with real tracking, website upgrades with automation, vendor wrangling, project management, and CMO-level strategy, all without the full-time price tag.

Want more? Just add hours — we still come in way under the competition, and it’s at your pace.

The Bottom Line

Hiring a single resource or a team quickly runs into six figures. Agencies can be powerful, but they are often expensive and don’t understand the intricacies of your business. Let’s talk about how we dive into your business, evaluate your current marketing program, and build strategies that drive measurable impact.

Check out our Services – https://josephrhodesmarketing.com/services/

– Rhodes Scholar