Agency vs. In-House Marketer: The Real Cost Comparison for 2026
Quick answer: For most small businesses, an agency is cheaper than an in-house marketer. A full-time marketing manager costs $95,000–$160,000/year once you include salary, payroll tax, benefits, tools, and ramp time versus $18,000–$96,000/year for an agency retainer that gives you an entire team instead of one generalist. The break-even point is roughly $8,000–$10,000/month in...