Fractional rate benchmark

Fractional Senior Research Scientist Cost & Rates

Senior Research Scientist hourly rates currently average $213/hr across our live benchmarks. The middle 50% of postings fall in the $175–$225/hr band. Typical scope is around 13 hours per week. Demand is falling sharply compared to the prior 90 days.

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How Much Does a Fractional Senior Research Scientist Cost?

Typical market cost per month

$9,100–$11,700/month

Based on 13 hours per week at $175–$225 per hour.

Average hourly rate
$213/hr
Typical scope
13 hrs/week
At the average rate
$11,000

Based on 0 job posts and 5 candidate profiles from the last 90 days. Last updated .

Limited sample. Treat this benchmark as directional.

View calculation

A fractional Senior Research Scientist costs $9,100 to $11,700 per month at a typical 13 hours per week. The average hourly rate is $213/hr. The middle 50% of rates run from $175/hr to $225/hr.

Monthly retainer = 13 hours per week x 4 weeks x hourly rate: at the 25th percentile rate ($175/hr) that is $9,100 per month; at the average rate ($213/hr) it is $11,000; at the 75th percentile ($225/hr) it is $11,700. Figures are rounded down to the nearest $100.

Weekly hours reflect typical fractional scope across all roles. There is not yet enough fractional Senior Research Scientist data to publish a role-specific figure.

Middle 50% of rates

$175-$225/hr

The middle 50% of observed rates — a realistic budgeting range for most engagements.

GF Demand Index

—

Our proprietary index measuring demand for fractional talent.

Open jobs

0

Posted in the last 90 days.

Senior Research Scientist Rate Distribution

See the full spread of fractional Senior Research Scientist hourly rates, from the low end to the high end of the market, not just the average.
Fractional Senior Research Scientist hourly rate distribution: share of observed rates falling in each range
Hourly rate rangeShare of observed rates
$150-$165/hr0.0%
$165-$180/hr25.0%
$180-$195/hr0.0%
$195-$210/hr25.0%
$210-$225/hr0.0%
$225-$240/hr25.0%
$240-$255/hr25.0%
$255-$270/hr0.0%
$270-$280/hr0.0%
$213
$150$280

25th percentile

$175/hr

Average rate

$213/hr

$443,040/yr equivalent

75th percentile

$225/hr

Offered vs. Asking Rates

Compare what companies pay fractional Senior Research Scientist talent with what candidates ask, so you can set a budget that wins the hire.

Employer offers

—

25th–75th: —

Average hourly rate posted in live fractional job listings.

Talent asks

$213/hr

25th–75th: $175/hr – $225/hr

Average hourly rate fractional candidates set on their profile.

Typical Engagement Scope

See how many hours a week companies hire a fractional Senior Research Scientist for, the estimated retainer, and how that compares to a full-time role.
13hrs / week (typical fractional scope across roles)
Typical fractional scopeFull-time · 40 hrs

≈ 33% of a full-time week

~1.6

days / week

33%

of full-time

676

hrs / year

$11,000

estimated / mo

$9,100-$11,700

middle 50% of rates / mo

A typical fractional Senior Research Scientist engagement is scoped at roughly 13 hours a week — senior leadership on a part-time cadence rather than a full-time hire. Estimated monthly retainers use $213/hr and a four-week month.

Work Model Distribution

See how fractional Senior Research Scientist jobs split across remote, hybrid, and on-site work over the last 90 days.
No work-model data yet

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    Demand for fractional Senior Research Scientist talent is falling sharply compared with the prior 90 days. These benchmarks feed the State of Fractional Work report, and you can compare every role on the fractional rates and cost by role table.

    Fractional Senior Research Scientist Cost FAQ

    How Much Does a Fractional Senior Research Scientist Cost?

    A fractional Senior Research Scientist costs $9,100 to $11,700 per month at a typical 13 hours per week. The average hourly rate is $213/hr. The middle 50% of rates run from $175/hr to $225/hr.

    Monthly retainer = 13 hours per week x 4 weeks x hourly rate: at the 25th percentile rate ($175/hr) that is $9,100 per month; at the average rate ($213/hr) it is $11,000; at the 75th percentile ($225/hr) it is $11,700. Figures are rounded down to the nearest $100.

    Weekly hours reflect typical fractional scope across all roles. There is not yet enough fractional Senior Research Scientist data to publish a role-specific figure.

    What Is a Typical Fractional Senior Research Scientist Monthly Retainer?

    $9,100 to $11,700 per month, with $11,000 at the average hourly rate. That assumes 13 hours per week and a 4-week month. The range spans the 25th to 75th percentile of observed hourly rates.

    What Is the Hourly Rate for a Fractional Senior Research Scientist?

    $213/hr on average. The median is $200/hr. The middle 50% of rates fall between $175/hr and $225/hr.

    How Many Hours a Week Does a Fractional Senior Research Scientist Work?

    About 13 hours per week, or roughly 1.6 days. That is 33% of a full-time week, which is why fractional leadership is priced as a monthly retainer rather than a salary. Weekly hours reflect typical fractional scope across all roles. There is not yet enough fractional Senior Research Scientist data to publish a role-specific figure.

    About Our Data

    Built from real-time signals across the fractional market.

    We analyze public hiring activity and pay rates for job postings over the last 90 days to provide a comprehensive view of the fractional market. Benchmarks are only published when there's sufficient data to ensure accuracy.

    Monthly retainers are the 25th to 75th percentile hourly rate multiplied by typical weekly hours and a four-week month. Weekly hours reflect typical fractional scope for this role, or across all roles when role-specific data is limited. Job-post hours are never used for the retainer.

    Window
    Last 90 days, rolling
    Demand
    Public fractional job posts
    Supply
    Active candidate profiles + Go Fractional platform benchmarks

    What Affects Fractional Senior Research Scientist Rates?

    • Scope of ownership

      Company-wide leadership and board-facing work typically commands higher rates than narrow execution support.

    • Stage and urgency

      Interim leadership, turnaround work, and fundraising moments tend to raise willingness to pay.

    • Location expectations

      Remote-first work broadens the talent pool, while location-specific roles can show tighter supply.

    • Depth of specialization

      Technical, regulated, or highly verticalized experience can push a fractional leader above the market average.