FTE means full-time equivalent: staff hours added up and counted as full-time posts, so two people on half-time make one FTE. Each FTE costs more than its salary: for UK marketing hires, 25 to 30% more.
The number: UK Marketing Salaries.
A 0.5 FTE role is half a full-time post. The employer decides how many hours count as full time, so check the contract before comparing roles.
What it means in practice
The mistake is comparing an FTE salary with an agency or freelance fee. Employer National Insurance, pension, kit, software seats and management time sit on top of the salary.
The move is to price each FTE fully loaded, then compare it with the same work bought in days at published rates.
Whito stage: Scale. Hiring decisions come once the basics already convert.
The numbers to hold onto
- A UK marketing hire’s true cost runs 25 to 30% above salary. UK Marketing Salaries.
- The average UK marketing salary is about £44,000. UK Marketing Salaries.
- A freelance marketer averages £418 a day. Freelance vs Agency Day Rates.
Where to go next
Related: Fully loaded salary cost, Marketing day rate, Agency retainer