How much does an interim CTO cost?
What a full-time-but-temporary CTO actually costs in the US market, whether the search-firm route is worth its fee, and what I charge. The same numbers apply to a temporary CTO; it's the same job.
Figure $25K–$50K a month for a real one.
In the US market, an experienced interim CTO typically runs $1,500–$2,500 a day, which lands at roughly $25,000–$50,000 a month near-full-time. Go through an interim-executive firm and you'll pay toward the top of that band, because a placement margin is stacked on the executive's rate.
My published price is $30,000 a month for embedded, near-full-time leadership in the seat: turnarounds, transitions, or covering the CTO role until the permanent hire lands. Direct, no firm, no placement fee.
A temporary CTO costs the same, because it's the same engagement under a different name. The distinction that actually changes the price is interim (full-time, temporary) versus fractional (part-time, ongoing), which starts much lower.
Related searches: interim CTO rates, temporary CTO cost, short-term CTO cost, interim CTO day rate, CTO gap coverage.
What I charge, exactly.
The interim tier sits on the same published ladder as my fractional work. All prices USD.
The Diagnostic
The Business-Down read on system, org, spend and AI leverage, plus a 90-day plan. If you're not sure you need someone in the seat, start here.
Embedded / Interim CTO
Near-full-time leadership in the seat — turnarounds, transitions, or covering the role until the permanent hire lands. Clean handoff included.
Fractional CTO
If the gap doesn't need full-time coverage, the fractional engagement delivers the leadership at part-time commitment.
All prices USD. Full tier detail on the Fractional CTO page. Email me ↗
What people ask about price.
How much does an interim CTO cost per month?
In the US market, roughly $25,000–$50,000 a month near-full-time, or $1,500–$2,500 a day. My published price is $30,000 a month for embedded, near-full-time leadership at three or more days a week, working directly with me rather than through a firm.
How much does a temporary or short-term CTO cost?
The same as an interim CTO, because it's the same engagement: a CTO in the seat full-time for a defined stretch. My published price is $30,000 a month. The real pricing distinction is interim (full-time, temporary) versus fractional (part-time, ongoing), which starts at $10,000–$18,000 a month.
Why do interim-executive firms cost more?
A firm places an executive from its bench and adds a placement margin, often 25–40% on top of the executive's rate, plus an account layer between you and the person doing the work. Hiring directly removes both. You talk to the person who does the job.
Is an interim CTO cheaper than rushing a permanent hire?
Usually, yes. A rushed executive search still takes months, typically costs a recruiting fee of 25–35% of first-year compensation, and a mis-hire at the CTO level costs a year and often the roadmap. An interim CTO covers the seat immediately, stabilizes delivery, and buys you the time to run the permanent search properly.
How long do interim engagements run?
Sometimes a few months, sometimes longer: long enough to stabilize the org and either hand off to the permanent hire or work myself out of the job. The engagement ends with a clean handoff, documented and deliberate, not a cliff.
Related reading & paths.
Interim CTO services
The engagement itself: covering the gap, carrying the transition, handing off clean.
Fractional CTO cost
The part-time alternative, from $10K a month. Often the better fit when the gap isn't full-time.
Fractional vs full-time vs interim
Which kind of technology leadership your company actually needs right now.
Need the seat covered
now?
Tell me about the gap. I'll tell you honestly whether it needs full-time coverage or two good days a week.