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Freelance Rate Calculator

Stop guessing your worth. Calculate the exact minimum hourly rate you need to charge to meet your income goals, pay taxes, and cover expenses.

Your Finances

Include income tax + self-employment tax.

Your Work Schedule

Not total hours worked. Only hours you can actually bill clients.
Subtract vacation and holidays (e.g., 48 weeks = 4 weeks off).

Why is my required rate so high?

Many freelancers make the mistake of dividing their desired salary by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). However, as a freelancer, you have unbillable time (marketing, admin, emails), taxes (which are not withheld), and business expenses. This calculator accounts for those realities to ensure you don't lose money.

The 30% Rule

A common rule of thumb is that 30% of your freelance income goes to taxes, 20% goes to business expenses and unbillable time, and you keep the remaining 50%. Our calculator gives you the precise math based on your specific inputs.