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CMMC Compliance Cost Calculator
Answer 3 questions. Get a detailed cost range broken into every component — based on what defense contractors actually pay.
What Will CMMC Compliance Cost Your Business?
CMMC compliance costs vary enormously depending on your company size, how mature your current security posture is, and which level you're targeting. A 10-person company with good IT hygiene pursuing Level 1 might spend $8,000–$15,000. A 150-person manufacturer with legacy systems pursuing Level 2 C3PAO certification might spend $200,000–$500,000. The range is that wide — and the only way to narrow it is to assess your specific situation.
This free calculator builds a cost estimate based on your inputs: company size, IT maturity, current security controls, and target CMMC level. It breaks down costs across the main spending categories: gap assessment, remediation (technology + labor), documentation, and formal assessment fees.
CMMC costs typically fall into four buckets:
- Gap assessment: $3,000–$20,000 depending on complexity
- Technology remediation: $5,000–$150,000+ (MFA tools, endpoint protection, logging, encryption)
- Documentation and process: $5,000–$50,000 (SSP, policies, POA&M)
- C3PAO assessment: $30,000–$100,000 for Level 2 (waived for self-attestation)
Ongoing annual maintenance typically runs 20–30% of initial implementation cost. This estimate is directional — not a fixed quote. For a line-item remediation budget, a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) can provide a formal assessment.
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Your Estimate
Year 1 total estimate
Cost breakdown by component
Ongoing annual costs
After Year 1, CMMC is an ongoing program — not a one-time project.
The revenue protection math
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Scoping Review
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These are market ranges. A navigator can tell you whether your actual number is closer to the low end or high end — based on your specific environment.
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These are market ranges. Your actual cost depends on your specific IT environment, CUI scope, and existing controls. A navigator can give you a real number in one conversation.
Cost ranges sourced from DoD official estimates, Cyber AB data, and market research across C3PAOs, RPOs, and MSPs (March 2026). Individual costs vary significantly based on IT environment complexity, CUI scope, geographic location, and current security posture. Full cost breakdown →
Frequently Asked Questions: CMMC Compliance Costs
How much does CMMC Level 1 certification cost? +
CMMC Level 1 typically costs $5,000–$30,000 for a small business to achieve. Because Level 1 requires only annual self-attestation (no C3PAO), the main costs are gap assessment, implementing the 17 required practices, and documenting your compliance. Larger companies with more endpoints and users will pay more.
How much does CMMC Level 2 certification cost? +
CMMC Level 2 typically costs $50,000–$300,000 for a small to mid-sized company, including remediation and C3PAO assessment. The C3PAO assessment itself typically costs $30,000–$100,000. Companies with strong existing security postures (ISO 27001, SOC 2) will spend less on remediation.
What is the biggest cost driver in CMMC compliance? +
For most small businesses, technology remediation is the largest cost — specifically implementing multi-factor authentication, endpoint detection and response (EDR), encrypted email, and centralized log management. Documentation and policy writing is the second largest, often underestimated at $10,000–$40,000.
Can I reduce CMMC costs by using a managed service provider? +
Yes. A CMMC-focused MSP or MSSP can significantly reduce implementation costs by providing compliant infrastructure as a service (often called a CMMC enclave or CUI enclave). Monthly costs of $1,500–$5,000 replace large upfront capital expenditures for many small businesses.
Are CMMC compliance costs tax-deductible? +
CMMC compliance costs are generally deductible as ordinary business expenses. Some capital expenditures (hardware, long-term software licenses) may need to be amortized. Consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Does the DoD reimburse CMMC compliance costs? +
The DoD does not directly reimburse compliance costs, but contractors can include CMMC compliance costs in indirect rates and overhead calculations for cost-type contracts. Fixed-price contracts generally cannot recoup these costs after award.
Next Step
Want a more precise scope for your situation?
These are market ranges. The real number depends on your IT environment, CUI scope, and what's already in place. The compliance checklist can help you map your gaps before you talk to anyone.