Typical ranges by engagement type
| Engagement | Common market range | FlexHR starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Seed-stage advisory / Head of People (~1 day/week) | $2,500–$6,000/mo | $4,000/mo |
| Fractional CHRO (~2 days/week) | $6,000–$15,000/mo | $8,000/mo |
| Fixed-scope project (comp bands, handbook, PEO exit) | $7,500–$25,000+ | $7,500 |
| HR audit / diagnostic | Fixed fee | $4,500 (2 weeks) |
| Urgent / crisis work | Day rate | $1,500/day |
What drives the price
- Days per week and responsiveness expectations
- Headcount and number of states or countries
- Board and exec-team involvement
- Whether there is an HR team to lead or the fractional leader does the work
- Complexity: restructures, M&A, regulated roles
Fractional vs. full-time math
A full-time senior People executive at a venture-backed company typically costs a six-figure base salary plus equity, benefits and recruiting fees. A $4,000–$8,000 monthly retainer is $48,000–$96,000 a year with no equity, benefits or severance, and can be paused or scaled as the company changes.
Frequently asked questions
Do fractional CHROs charge hourly?
Some offer hourly advisory, but most ongoing work is priced as a monthly retainer, and defined deliverables as fixed-price projects. FlexHR uses retainers and fixed prices so there are no surprise invoices.
Do fractional CHROs take equity?
Some take cash plus a small equity grant, especially at seed. FlexHR's published prices are cash; equity-supplemented structures can be discussed for early-stage companies.
Is there a minimum commitment?
FlexHR retainers are month-to-month with 30 days' notice after the initial scope. No 12-month lockups.