Part-Time CTO vs Full-Time CTO: When Should You Hire Full-Time?
Most pre-Series A startups aren't ready for a full-time CTO. Here's when to make the leap (and when to wait).
Quick Decision Guide
Choose Part-Time CTO if:
- Pre-seed to Series A ($0-8M raised)
- Engineering team < 10 people
- Still validating product-market fit
- Runway < 18 months
- Need strategic guidance + critical execution
Choose Full-Time CTO if:
- Series A+ ($8M+ raised)
- Engineering team 10-15+ people
- Strong product-market fit, scaling fast
- Runway 24+ months
- Need daily team leadership + culture building
Detailed Comparison
| Category | Part-Time CTO | Full-Time CTO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $8-12K/month ($96-144K/year) Pay only for what you need | $180-280K/year + equity + benefits Total comp often $250-350K+ |
| Time to Hire | 1-2 weeks Start immediately | 3-6 months Long search + negotiation |
| Commitment | Flexible, month-to-month Scale up/down as needed | Long-term commitment Hard to let go if wrong fit |
| Experience Level | 15-20+ years, seen 50+ products Pattern recognition from many contexts | 10-20 years, varies widely May lack breadth or startup experience |
| Focus | Strategic + critical execution High-leverage activities only | Everything (strategic + tactical) Can handle full scope |
| Team Building | Hiring, onboarding, oversight Builds team for you to scale | Full team management Day-to-day team leadership |
| Risk | Low - easy to adjust No long-term commitment | High - $300K+ mistake if wrong Expensive to fix bad hire |
| Speed to Impact | 1-2 weeks Immediate value from day one | 3-6 months Onboarding + context building |
| Network Access | Extensive (50+ products) Immediate access to vetted talent | Limited to personal network Must build relationships |
| Best For | Pre-seed to Series A $0-5M raised, building MVP to scale | Series B+ $10M+ raised, 20+ team, scaling fast |
Which Should You Choose? 4 Real Scenarios
Pre-seed Startup, $500K Raised
You have 12 months runway, no technical co-founder, and need to build an MVP to validate product-market fit.
Part-Time CTO
- Runway too short to justify $250K+ full-time hire
- Need immediate impact, not 6-month search
- MVP requires strategic decisions more than full-time execution
- Flexibility to scale up/down as you validate
Full-Time CTO only if you have technical co-founder equity available (15-25%)
Post-MVP, $2M Raised, Growing Team
You have a working product, 5,000 users, 2-3 junior developers, and need to scale infrastructure and team.
Part-Time CTO (for now)
- You need strategic oversight more than full-time presence
- Part-time CTO can hire and manage your growing team
- Save $150K+/year while building toward full-time need
- Upgrade to full-time at Series A when team hits 10-15 people
Full-Time CTO if you have strong VP Eng candidate who can scale with you
Series A, $8M Raised, 15-Person Team
You have product-market fit, $3M ARR, 15 employees (5 engineers), and need to scale infrastructure, team, and processes.
Full-Time CTO
- Team size demands full-time leadership
- Need daily presence for team management, culture, 1:1s
- Strategic + tactical scope too large for part-time
- Runway and revenue support $250-300K hire
Keep part-time CTO as advisor during full-time search (3-6 months)
Technical Founder, Need Strategic Guidance
You can code but lack experience with scaling, hiring, architecture decisions, and technical leadership.
Part-Time CTO (as advisor)
- You can handle execution, need strategic guidance
- Part-time CTO accelerates your growth as technical leader
- Learn from experienced CTO while maintaining control
- Much more cost-effective than full-time hire
Join technical advisory boards, CTO peer groups, or fractional CTO network
The True Cost: 12-Month Comparison
Most founders only compare base salaries. Here's what a full-time CTO actually costs when you factor in recruiting, onboarding, benefits, equity, and risk.
Part-Time CTO
- Month-to-month flexibility
- Immediate start (1-2 weeks)
- No equity dilution
- Low risk if wrong fit
- Includes recruiting support
Full-Time CTO
- 3-6 month search process
- $30K+ recruiting fees
- 2-4% equity dilution
- $150-300K mistake if wrong fit
- Benefits add 25-30%
First-Year Difference: $398,004
That's enough runway to build your MVP, hire 2-3 developers, or extend your runway by 6-9 months.
The Recommended Path for Most Startups
Start with Part-Time CTO
From pre-seed through Series A, use a part-time CTO to build your MVP, establish architecture, hire your initial team, and create systems. Save $150-300K per year while getting experienced strategic guidance.
Scale Your Team
Your part-time CTO helps you hire senior engineers, tech leads, and eventually a VP of Engineering. They build the team and processes a full-time CTO would manage, setting you up for success.
Transition to Full-Time When Ready
At Series A ($8M+), with 10-15 engineers, and strong product-market fit, your part-time CTO helps you: (1) Define exactly what you need in a full-time CTO, (2) Lead the search and vet candidates, (3) Onboard and transition the new hire. Many part-time CTOs continue as advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I hire a full-time CTO instead of part-time?
Hire full-time when: (1) You have $8M+ raised and can afford $250-300K total comp, (2) Your engineering team is 10+ people needing daily leadership, (3) You have product-market fit and are scaling rapidly, (4) Strategic + tactical scope exceeds 20 hours/week. Before this point, part-time CTOs provide better ROI.
Can a part-time CTO really replace a full-time CTO?
For startups pre-Series A, yes. Part-time CTOs focus on high-leverage activities: architecture decisions, hiring, roadmap planning, and critical execution. They build systems and teams that operate without constant oversight. Once your team grows to 15+ people, you need full-time leadership.
What if I hire a part-time CTO and then need to hire full-time later?
This is the recommended path. Your part-time CTO helps you: (1) Define exactly what you need in a full-time CTO, (2) Build the team and systems a full-time CTO will manage, (3) Lead the search and vet candidates, (4) Onboard and transition to the full-time hire. Many part-time CTOs transition to advisory roles.
How much time does a part-time CTO actually spend with my company?
Typically 15-20 hours per week (3-4 hours per day, 4 days/week). This includes: strategic planning sessions, architecture reviews, team meetings, code reviews, hiring interviews, and critical execution. Time is focused on high-impact activities only, not tactical execution your team can handle.
What is the equity expectation for part-time vs full-time CTOs?
Part-time CTOs typically work on cash-only arrangements ($8-12K/month) with no equity, making them much more flexible. Full-time CTOs expect 2-5% equity depending on stage (earlier = more equity). Pre-revenue startups may offer 15-25% equity + lower salary, but this limits flexibility if it doesn't work out.
Can I hire a part-time CTO if I already have developers?
Absolutely. Many startups hire part-time CTOs to: (1) Provide strategic direction to existing dev team, (2) Review architecture and code quality, (3) Establish processes and best practices, (4) Help scale the team (hiring, leveling, management), (5) Act as technical advisor to the CEO. Your developers continue executing; the part-time CTO provides leadership.
Ready to Make the Right Hire?
Not sure if you need part-time or full-time? Let's talk through your situation and figure out the best path forward.
Or start with our $5K Discovery Sprint to evaluate your options