Calculate Your Rate
Enter your numbers below. Results update instantly.
What do you want to take home per year?
Software, insurance, equipment, marketing — typically 10-20% of income.
Self-employment + income tax. Most freelancers pay 25-35%.
Realistic range: 20-30 hrs.
Vacation, sick days, holidays.
Your Recommended Rates
Minimum Hourly Rate
$95
Your floor — don't go below this
Suggested Day Rate
$760
8 hours × hourly rate
Monthly Revenue Target
$9,524
To hit your annual goal
How we calculated this
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How this calculator works
The calculator answers one question: what hourly rate covers the income you want after the costs of running the business and the taxes on all of it? The formula is (target income + business expenses + taxes) ÷ billable hours. Expenses are entered as a percentage of income, and taxes are applied to income plus expenses because both have to be earned before tax comes off the top.
Billable hours are the part most freelancers get wrong. The calculator multiplies your billable hours per week by the weeks you actually work (52 minus weeks off), not by 2,080, because a solo business spends a large share of the week on proposals, admin, invoicing and finding the next client. Twenty-five billable hours a week is realistic for most; forty is not.
Worked example with the defaults: a $80,000 income target plus 15% expenses ($12,000) is $92,000; taxes at 30% of that add $27,600, so the year has to bill $119,600. At 25 hours a week for 48 weeks that is 1,200 billable hours, and $119,600 ÷ 1,200 is about $100 an hour. The same target at 20 billable hours a week needs $125 an hour.
What it does not do: it does not model project pricing, retainers or value-based fees, and the tax percentage is a single blended rate you choose, not a bracket calculation (use the freelance tax estimator for that). Treat the result as your floor, then check it against the industry benchmarks below and price above it where the market allows.
Freelance Rate Benchmarks by Industry
How does your calculated rate compare? These ranges reflect typical U.S. freelance rates.
| Field | Beginner | Mid-Level | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Development | $50–75 | $100–150 | $150–250+ |
| Graphic Design | $35–50 | $75–120 | $120–200+ |
| Copywriting | $40–60 | $80–125 | $125–200+ |
| Marketing / Strategy | $50–80 | $100–175 | $175–300+ |
| Video / Photography | $40–65 | $85–150 | $150–250+ |
| Consulting | $75–125 | $150–275 | $275–500+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Start with your target annual income, add business expenses and taxes, then divide by your realistic billable hours per year. Most freelancers can bill 1,000-1,400 hours per year (not 2,080 like a full-time job).
What's a good hourly rate for a freelancer?
It depends on your field, experience, and location. Web developers typically charge $75-250/hr, designers $50-200/hr, writers $50-150/hr, and consultants $100-400/hr. Use the calculator above with your specific numbers.
How many hours can I realistically bill per week?
Most freelancers bill 25-30 hours per week. The rest goes to admin, marketing, invoicing, and business development. Planning for 25 billable hours/week is a safe estimate.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Project-based pricing is usually more profitable because you're paid for value, not time. But hourly rates work well for ongoing retainers, consulting, and tasks with uncertain scope.
How often should I raise my rates?
At least once per year. Your skills improve, costs increase, and inflation erodes your purchasing power. A 10-15% annual increase is reasonable for most freelancers.
What expenses should I factor into my rate?
Include: self-employment tax (~15.3%), health insurance, software subscriptions, equipment, marketing, professional development, and a buffer for slow months. Most freelancers add 25-35% on top of their desired income.
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